SUPPORTERS of a $15 congestion fine charged to drivers using New York City’s busiest streets have celebrated a huge win despite outrage over the fee.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul ditched congestion tolls this summer after previously approving the plan, sparking a slew of lawsuits.
Supporters of congestion fee pricing in New York City have celebrated a win in court[/caption]
On Friday, a judge denied a motion asking for the lawsuits to be dismissed[/caption]
According to the pricing plan, drivers will be charged $15 to travel through a Congestion Relief Zone, which covers Manhattan south of 60th Street[/caption]
The program designed by city officials will charge drivers $15 to travel through the Congestion Relief Zone, which covers Manhattan south of 60th Street.
The charge aimed to thin backed-up traffic and bring in a massive $1 billion annually to go toward transit programs like subway train makeovers.
It was originally set to go into effect on June 30, 2024, until Governor Hochul delayed the plan over fears New Yorkers couldn’t afford the toll.
The shock decision sparked a series of lawsuits funded by organizations that believe New York Transit needs the extra cash to fund crucial system updates.
On Friday, New York State Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron allowed two lawsuits to proceed that challenged Hochul’s decision.
After denying Hochul’s lawyers’ attempts to throw out the suit, he slammed current driving conditions.
“I got a ride into Manhattan, and the traffic was terrible,” he said in the hearing.
“Can’t someone do something about it?”
State lawyers tried to point to legal technicalities that prevented her from signing the bill into law, but Judge Engoron wouldn’t have it.
Outside the courthouse, supporters celebrated the decision as they continued to fight for subway improvements.
“We’re demanding justice. This is a law,” Danna Dennis, a representative of the grassroots movement Riders Alliance that’s suing Hochul, told Pix 11.
“The law has already been passed. Now it needs to be implemented.”
AI SOLUTION
Opponents of the law have argued the fee will hinder business in some of Manhattan’s most lucrative neighborhoods.
In an exclusive conversation with The U.S. Sun, tech CEO Tim Menard said that artificial intelligence could help regulate traffic instead.
Expert thoughts on congestion pricing
Here is what Tim Menard, the CEO of LYT, a California-based transportation technology firm, said about the pricing policy:
In an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun, the CEO said the city advocated against congestion pricing.
Menard believes congestion pricing will have unintended consequences on the city’s poorer populations.
“Congestion pricing has more downsides than benefits,” Menard told The U.S. Sun.
“This tax affects the poor more than the rich – there is no equity – billionaires living in expensive parts of Manhattan are not going to be hit as much, particularly given the cost of living crisis in the US.”
Still, New York City and federal agencies disagreed with the negative assessment on congestion pricing after spending billions of dollars studying potential re-routing impacts from the potential implementation.
Instead, Menard said cities should embrace rapidly-advancing AI technology.
New systems have controlled transit bus routing – a system Menard says is far more effective.
“It’s specifically designed to help move buses through busy corridors, and it has been effectively used to improve response times for emergency vehicles,” he said.
“The new technology can be a very budget-friendly installation for cities. And it works to improve traffic flow for all commuters, not just buses.”
“Congestion pricing has more downsides than benefits,” Menard, the founder of transportation technology firm LYT, said.
According to Menard, lower-income drivers would disproportionately suffer from the change.
“This tax affects the poor more than the rich. There is no equity,” he said.
“Billionaires living in expensive parts of Manhattan are not going to be hit as much, particularly given the cost of living crisis in the US.”
The tech boss said budget-friendly AI programs can analyze traffic flow and help speed up commutes in America’s most densely populated areas.
“A lot of cities and municipalities we have been working with so far are embracing alternative approaches on congestion issues,” he said.
“And they are a bit more progressive in their thinking to embrace advanced technology as opposed to just taxing people.
“There is so much more that can go into transport planning rather than restrict people.”
Judge Engoron has asked for more materials on the cases against Governor Hochul to be presented by mid-October.
State attorneys could appeal the judge’s decision.
The U.S. Sun has contacted New York’s Department of Transportation for comment on the update.
CONGESTION PRICING OPT-OUT
An estimated 26,000 drivers are exempt from the tolls
Several thousand drivers will not have to pay the tolls to enter Manhattan.
The city’s fleet of vehicles – including police cars, first responders, and parks and recreation vehicles – will not be charged to use lower Manhattan roads.
Bus drivers that have contracted with the education department will also avoid the fees.
The toll does not apply to drivers on FDR Drive, West Side Highway, or the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connecting to West Street.
Public employees who drive passenger cars into work will pay the tolls.
