New York Becomes First U.S. City to Introduce Congestion Pricing

It was a bit of a struggle, but the New York State Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo have signed on a (decidedly progressive) $175 billion state budget. While the deal has a number of noteworthy inclusions, spurred by the newly elected Democratic majority in the State Legislature, the one we’re most concerned with involves charging motorists for the privilege of driving on streets of lower Manhattan.

Along with interesting initiatives to ban plastic bags and impose new taxes on high-end homes, New York has decided to become the first American city to introduce congestion pricing.

As a resident of the city, I’m not particularly enthused with the change — as it subjects vehicles traveling below 60th Street to a toll. While the amount has not been decided, The New York Times reports that revenue would ultimately be funneled into the city’s lackluster subway system and “other regional transportation needs.”

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has increased its prices over the last few years, hopeful that fresh funds could help streamline trips. However, injecting more money into the MTA hasn’t helped. Despite extensive renovations to several high-volume lines, delays persist. Meanwhile, critics have accused the MTA of rampant mismanagement and even political corruption. Signal issues are ongoing and equipment failures are becoming increasingly frequent.

Passengers are becoming less willing to believe the MTA hasn’t the money to solve the issue, with some claiming subway workers are already grossly overpaid (managers average an annual salary of over $200,000, according to NYT). But an equally strong case could be made for the city’s transportation infrastructure being quite old and in need of a multi-billion dollar revamp.

Regardless of the reason, New York’s subway has become rather risky to rely on as way of commuting. This, in turn, has compelled many area residents to avoid taking the subway as often, boosting the usage of taxi cabs or ride-hailing services like Uber. The byproduct?Magnified traffic congestion. Hoping to avoid another fare hike while streamline above-ground traffic, New York has decided to place the burden on the backs of motorists. Though just how much they’ll be on the hook for has yet to be settled upon.

From The New York Times:

The congestion pricing deal deferred many of the difficult decisions — how much to charge drivers and who will receive exemptions — to the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority and a new traffic mobility review board. Eighty percent of the revenue will be directed to the subway and bus network, and 10 percent each to the Long Island Rail Road and the Metro-North Railroad.

The agreement also calls for an overhaul of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the agency that oversees New York City’s bus and subway system. Mr. Cuomo, who effectively controls the authority and who has been heavily criticized for the subway’s shoddy performance, has scapegoated the agency in recent months. As part of the budget deal, the authority’s policies will be changed to encourage speedier capital projects and to increase oversight.

“There’s two aspects to it. It’s M and M: management and money. I’m not going to ask New Yorkers for more money for the MTA unless I know there’s a better management system at the MTA. And this does both,” Cuomo said during a press conference on the matter, adding that he was aware the city’s subway system has only gotten worse over the years.

“This is probably the broadest, most sweeping state plan that we have done,” he said. “There are a number of national firsts and it really grapples with the tough issues that have been facing this state for a long time.”

While criticisms of the plan include suggestions that the working poor couldn’t possibly afford a congestion charge, studies advocating for the fee claim that most low-income individuals can’t afford to drive in Manhattan anyway. I’m not sure how that’s supposed to make them feel better, but at least they won’t have to pay more to ride the often-delayed subway system.

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