New York will introduce a paid entry to Manhattan: what will be the cost

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday March 30 that the US Department of Transportation has given the green light to the next major step in introducing toll-free Manhattan. Writes about it NBC New York.

“We have received a message from the administration of US President Joe Biden that the US Department of Transportation has authorized New York State to conduct the required federal environmental assessment and public outreach to introduce toll tolls and congestion rates,” the statement said.

“Congestion rates” is a method that adds additional fares to travel to a specific location during peak traffic hours. Proponents say this is a proven method to reduce traffic, improve public transport performance and improve air quality as there will be fewer vehicles on the roads.

The tariff will regulate traffic congestion in Midtown through the introduction of fares. In a statement, Cuomo said the toll introduction "will play a critical role in New York's recovery from the pandemic."

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However, drivers say they are already paying too much money to get into the city and are skeptical about the innovation.

In 2019, New York State legislators approved a conceptual plan for the collection system. About 717 vehicles entering Manhattan every day from anywhere south of Central Park must pay a toll.

Under the proposal, local authorities will charge a once-a-day variable toll charge for vehicles entering or stopping in the "Central Business District," a designated area that stretches from 60th Street in Midtown to Battery Park.

The most congested area, according to calculations, turned out to be the central and southern parts of Manhattan, about a third of the island, the border was drawn along 60th Street. Anything north of this street (Harlem, Upper East Side and West Side) will be free. Anything further south (the business districts of Midtown, Times Square, Soho, Chelsea, Tribeca, and Wall Street) is for money.

$ 11 for entry on weekdays and $ 4 on weekends should bring the city a billion dollars annually. They were planned to be spent on maintaining the public transport system.

FDR Drive and West Side Highway are toll exempt, and those living in the toll area, as well as those earning less than $ 60 a year, are expected to be exempt as well.

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The New York City Department of Transportation (MTA) could raise $ 15 billion from New York becoming the first major city in the United States to introduce tolls to help reduce traffic, cut pollution and help public transit. But for that to happen, the Federal Highway Administration says it must make sure the plan is in line with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Cuomo said advancing the program would prepare "the state for global competitiveness for future generations."