MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) — New York City’s congestion pricing plan is shifting into the fast lane.
The Federal Highway Administration on Friday gave the green light for New York to move ahead with the Manhattan tolling plan after reviewing the potential environmental and legal impacts.
The public now has 30 days to review the congestion pricing plan. If nothing gets in its way, it could begin in April 2024.
The exact congestion charges have not been finalized, but officials are examining fees between $9 to $23. That means people driving in Manhattan below 60th Street (the Central Business District) would have to pay a possible $23.
Supporters say it will reduce traffic congestion and help the cash-strapped MTA. It may even persuade more people to start taking public transportation or carpooling.
The MTA is calling this a “generational opportunity to make it easier for people to get around in, and get to, the Central Business District, by reducing traffic and funding improvements to the public transit system.“
However, critics of congestion pricing say it’s going to be a huge drain on commuters’ wallets, especially those coming from New Jersey.
New Jersey Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill sent a message to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on behalf of several New Jersey politicians:
“At a time when families across the Northeast are already dealing with rising prices and high costs of living, this added tax on simply getting to work is unacceptable. Even worse, the congestion pricing plan will tax New Jerseyans while simultaneously providing no revenue for our public transit network.”
Many of the congestion pricing details still have to be ironed out. There could also be potential discounts and exemptions for certain drivers.
