NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — The MTA received final approval to move forward with congestion pricing on Monday, part of an effort to reduce traffic, improve air quality and raise funds for the city’s public transit system.
The program could begin as soon as the spring of 2024, bringing New York City into line with places like London, Singapore, and Stockholm that have implemented similar tolling programs for highly congested business districts.
Under one of several tolling scenarios under consideration, drivers could be charged as much as $23 a day to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street, with the exact amount still to be decided by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is overseeing the long-stalled plan.
The green light comes from the Federal Highway Administration, which issued a Finding of No Significant Impact from congestion pricing.
“Congestion pricing will reduce traffic in our crowded downtown, improve air quality and provide critical resources to the MTA,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “I am proud of the thorough environmental assessment process we conducted, including responding to thousands of comments from community members from across the region. With the green light from the federal government, we look forward to moving ahead with the implementation of this program.”
It is now up to the MTA to determine how to implement the nation’s first system of congestion pricing, including what tolls to charge and which drivers will receive exemptions.
The new tolls are expected to generate another $1 billion yearly, which would be used to finance borrowing to upgrade the subway, bus and commuter rail systems operated by the MTA.
“One of the things we’re going to see almost immediately once congestion pricing is implemented is better bus speeds in Midtown. Everybody knows that a bus should go faster than a chicken,” said Lisa Daglian of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Council to the MTA.
The state Legislature approved a conceptual plan for congestion pricing back in 2019, but the coronavirus pandemic combined with a lack of guidance from federal regulators stalled the project.
The plan has been sharply opposed by officials in New Jersey, where people bound for Manhattan by car could see costs of commuting skyrocket. Taxi and car service drivers have also objected, saying it would make fares unaffordable. Some MTA proposals have included caps on tolls for taxis and other for-hire vehicles.
Gov. Hochul is expected to discuss the decision Tuesday afternoon in Greenwich Village.
Some New Jersey elected officials are threatening legal action. Senator Menendez and Congressman Gottheimer and Pascrell are expressing outrage in a statement, calling it a ‘cash grab to fund the MTA,’ and saying there is no excuse for the Federal Highway Administration and the Department of Transportation’s failure to require New York to meaningfully engage with stakeholders across New Jersey.’
“From $2.75 to $2.90, will disproportionately impact low-income Black, Latino and Asian individuals in transit deserts,” said Malik James.
“I urge you to reconsider for the livelihoods that depend on mass transit and take into consideration the students who are the future of this city,” said Sabil Manai.
Among those urging the MTA to not raise fares is Betsy Lindor, who says congestion pricing while benefitting the MTA will also squeeze commuters.
“It’s just a lot of money you’d have to be paying out of pocket and I don’t think it’s fair to people like us because it always falls on the consumers,” Lindor said.
Still, advocates like Daglian are urging those commuters to think long term – less traffic and better transit.
“The late great Dick Ravitch showed us that if you don’t pay for the system, that if you don’t continue to care and feed it, that it’s just gonna fall apart,” she adds.
The final Federal approval means that the MTA can start setting up the tolling infrastructure which will take about a year. In the meantime, there will be more public hearings to help figure out dollar amounts and who gets exemptions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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