NYC downtown congestion tolls scheduled for ‘end of 2023’ launch

[Kamaji]

NYC downtown congestion tolls scheduled for ‘end of 2023’ launch

By David Meyer
March 16, 2022

The MTA expects to have federal approval for its downtown Manhattan congestion pricing plan by the end of this year, setting up a launch of the new fees by the end of 2023, officials said.

“We look forward to a successful launch of the congestion pricing program towards the end of 2023,” Steve Berrang, the MTA’s Director of Capital Program Management, testified during a City Council budget hearing on Wednesday.

“We anticipate that we will obtain FWHA —federal — approval for our environmental assessment for congestion pricing,” Berrang said. “Approximately one year after that —310 days to be exact — construction will be complete, and we anticipate funding to start to flow to the MTA.”

Congestion pricing passed the state legislature in April 2019 with the backing of disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Money from the tolls to drive into parts of Manhattan will go to the MTA and other transportation projects.

*  *  *

Official MTA estimates for the toll rates range from $9 to $23 for passenger vehicles, depending on the time of day. Trucks will likely be charged more, according to the MTA.

*  *  *

Source:  https://nypost.com/2022/03/16/nyc-downtown-congestion-tolls-scheduled-for-end-of-2023/

[Kamaji]

That should be fun.

Meanwhile:

Congestion pricing is coming to NYC — though London shows it’s a disaster

By Joe Borelli
March 16, 2022

Congestion pricing, the great white whale that transportation activists have been chasing for decades, is coming to New York City.

But before Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature smack us with this new tax, they may want to check whether it actually works.

Will it deliver on its promise to greatly reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and address transit-revenue gaps?

If you ask Londoners, certainly not.

England’s ancient capital, founded at the spot of one of Rome’s notable traffic solutions, has become the global model for congestion pricing since implementing it two decades ago. But unlike its namesake bridge, the city’s traffic scheme has not lived up to the hype, and now London is not only the most congested city in the United Kingdom, it is the most congested city in the world.

In 2021, London drivers lost an average of 148 hours to congestion, costing $1,211 per driver, as it topped the most recent Global Traffic Scorecard compiled by INRIX, a leading transportation-analytics firm. (If you’re wondering, New York City is only the fifth-most congested city, just below Moscow.)

*  *  *

Source:  https://nypost.com/2022/03/16/congestion-pricing-is-a-disaster-but-still-coming-to-nyc/

[Smokin Joe]

Why don't they just sell tickets? Season passes?

(What a sh*tshow, like the Illinois Tollway...)

[Kamaji]

Why don't they just sell tickets? Season passes?

(What a sh*tshow, like the Illinois Tollway...)

That is not a half-bad idea, particularly for trucking companies.  It also avoids the issue of having to guess what the price is right now problem with congestion pricing, because the cost can be averaged and annualized.  Basically, if you're going to travel frequently into downtown Manhattan, you pay a license for the access and then display a sticker on the vehicle.  No sticker, you get a ticket; got a sticker, no need to go through a toll booth or anything else.