New York City is preparing to implement a congestion charge on vehicles driving in certain areas of the metropolis.
The New York Times reports that all vehicles which travel in Manhattan below 60th street will be subject to a fee. It remains to be seen how much vehicles will be charged to drive in the heart of Manhattan, but 80 per cent of revenue raised will be funneled towards the city’s subway and bus network while 10 per cent each will be allocated to the Long Island Rail Road and the Metro-North Railroad.
As part of the congestion pricing program, the city intends on overhauling the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the agency which oversees New York City’s bus and subway networks.
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While the Big Apple will be the first city in the United States to implement a congestion charge, the likes of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle are also said to be considering something similar. The implementation of this measure in cities like London, Stockholm, and Singapore has been deemed successful.
Mind you, such programs do not just aim to reduce the number of cars in city centers, but they also serve as an important way for local governments to collect revenue. Additionally, they can reduce harmful emissions by encouraging locals to opt for more efficient means like cycling or public transportation.
Former New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg made a proposal for congestion charging in 2008, but it was never implemented. Maybe Bill de Blasio, the current mayor, will be more successful.
