If you thought parking in New York City was expensive (brace yourself) be prepared to dig just as deep for the privilege of merely driving into the most congested part of Manhattan. If city leaders get their way motorists will have to fork over a bit of green because the city’s mayor wants to go “green.”
According to a proposal outlined by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the plan to charge motorists stems from the boom in population and the affect it’s having on the environment.
“Let’s face up to the fact that our population growth is putting our city on a collision course with the environment, which itself is growing more unstable and uncertain,” Bloomberg told local news reporters.
Cue the critics.
If you happened to catch any of today’s morning news programs or other mid-morning chat fests, including “Live with Regis and Kelly” and “The View,” then you likely heard bantering about the proposal’s most controversial idea. City officials want to charge motorists for driving into Manhattan below 86th Street on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Trucks would be charged $21 a day and cars would be charged $8 (and that’s not counting parking, which can set you back the amount of money it takes to feed a family of four at the Olive Garden—IF you can even find a spot).
But, according to Bloomberg, the plan would reduce traffic and pollution while generating money for other transit projects. One city official estimated the Big Apple would rake in nearly $400 million in just the first year if the proposal becomes reality.
Not surprisingly, the idea (known as congestion pricing) is being hailed by environmentalists. (A similar system in London, which was initiated in 2003, has significantly reduced traffic congestion.) But, whether or not it gains the support from legislators who live in the suburbs remains to be seen (the proposal needs the support of a majority of lawmakers throughout New York because it must be enacted by the state legislature).
And, you can bet it’s going to be met with resistance by organizations like the American Trucking Association. (Think about all those Manhattan offices that use FedEx and UPS services).
I have family members who live in New York, but whenever we visit we take the train in. I don’t think I have ever seen the city from the backseat of a car (unless it was a cab). How about you? Do you drive in the city much? How do you feel about the new proposal?
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