It's been almost a year since congestion billing cameras started appearing overhead in Hell's Kitchen. The switch will be turned on at midnight on Sunday, June 30th, and will begin charging New York drivers.
MTA Chairman and CEO Jano Lieber made the announcement in an interview with Eyewitness News yesterday. During peak hours, cars driving below 60th Street in Manhattan's congestion relief zone will be charged a $15 toll.
The MTA has cameras installed in more than 100 locations around Manhattan, many in Hell's Kitchen, around the Lincoln Tunnel and on the West Side Highway. The camera tags his E-ZPasse and photographs the license plate.
“More than 90% of people come to the congestion zone, the central business district, and walk, bike, and above all take public transportation. We are a mass transit city, and being in New York We’re going to do even better,” Lieber said in announcing the official start date.
Lieber said congestion pricing will begin at midnight Sunday, so first users will only be charged the nightly rate of $3.75. The driver cannot pay his $15 fee in full until 9am on Sunday. Also, no matter how many times the vehicle enters and exits the zone, the toll will only be charged once per day.
Officials believe the toll will reduce the number of vehicles by 100,000 per day. “Five years after the New York State Legislature enacted the New York Law on Congestion Pricing, and after 4,000 pages of analysis and hundreds of public hearings and outreach meetings, New Yorkers are confident that they will enjoy less traffic, cleaner roads, and more.” We are ready to reap the benefits of better air, safer streets, and better transportation,” Lieber said.
Truck and bus fares cost $24 to $36 during peak hours, but drop to $6 to $8 overnight. There is a discounted rate of $7.50 for motorcycles. If you travel by taxi, add $1.50 to your fare, while Uber and Lyft will cost you $2.50.
Yesterday, the MTA announced a new portal explaining eligibility for discounts or exemptions, including low-income discount plans, disability expectations, buses and some government vehicles.
Local reactions in Hell's Kitchen were predictably mixed, but one of the big talking points was frustration over the lack of exemptions for people living within the congestion zone. Many likened the situation to London, where residents get a 90% discount on tolls if they register.
“They're really ugly! Scary! Police state! Look like Big Brother! The minute I walk out of the garage on 42nd Street where I live, they're right there! I mean, as soon as I get on the street. It costs $15,” Joan Loczko said.
Mirjana Vicari shared a personal example of how the new tolls will affect her. “That's ridiculous! I live in a building that has a camera fee right outside the parking lot. We use the car to go to Pennsylvania on the weekends to take care of grandma. You get charged to go out and go two blocks into a tunnel to get out of town! And then you go in again just to park,” she said.
There were also opinions that welcomed the implementation of a fee system. “Great news!” said Jeffrey LeFrancois, former Manhattan Community Board 4 chairman. “Turn it on already! Enough talk,” said Preston Marshall.
Forest Rocco Leone was concerned about rising prices and the future of the theater district. “Prices below 60th Street in this zone will go up, but people who live here won't have to pay if they live below 60th Street. It will destroy the Theater District. “Well, just wait and see what happens,” he said.
West Bank Cafe owner Steve Olsen shared similar concerns about tourism. “Let's say goodbye to local tourism,” he said.
said Kelly Byrne, a Hell's Kitchen resident. [this is] It is an elitist plan to remove hordes of ruthless workers from the streets in order to facilitate the movement and movement of UN diplomats, the wealthy, politicians, and politically connected people. They are replacing the Queens cleaning lady's Toyota Corolla with the Beautiful People's SUV caravan. That would only undermine the fairness of Midtown's public streets. ”
Manhattan Plaza resident Joe Bergman said: “My understanding is that the environment doesn't stop at 60th Street. I'm retired, and my wife will soon be too. We're not wealthy, but we need a car to get around. Best of all, you can park your 25-year-old car inside the building for a small fee. Now, will you be charged for transportation to and from the garage every time you leave your car? It sounds like expensive consultants were hired to enforce what the MTA has already decided: closed bus lanes, nearly empty bike lanes, double-parked delivery trucks. Old restaurant sheds, etc. It's as if the MTA made the traffic situation worse to justify the charges.”
Danny Chandros welcomed the toll, noting the disproportionate amount of space used by cars in the city compared to pedestrians and cyclists, saying: “I couldn't be more excited!” He added: “It's long past time for people who use public spaces an order of magnitude more than the average Manhattan resident to pay a proportionate amount!”
The MTA's implementation of congestion pricing may still face several obstacles, as multiple lawsuits have been filed in three separate federal courts.
