This will be a major first in the United States and has every chance of being emulated, if it works. New York has just been given the green light by the Federal Motorway Administration to launch a congestion charging system. Final approval, granted at the end of June, guarantees that this new tax will be launched in 2024. Its aim is to reduce traffic and pollution in Manhattan. It will also fund improvements to public transport.
This type of toll has existed for several years in other cities around the world. London is one example, Singapore and Stockholm. The idea also comes up regularly at Paris.
From $17 to $23 per journey?
The plan is to charge motorists to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street.One of the busiest shopping districts in the city. And consequently one of the busiest in the world.
Nothing is known about the final rates that might be charged for this congestion charge. Visit Metropolitan Transit Authority - which manages the metropolitan area's metros, buses and suburban trains. last year studied a pricing proposal. A working document which suggested a fare of 23 US$ (€21.50) in rush hour for a journey in Midtown and 17US$ in off-peak hour.
The aim of the programme is to encourage greater use of public transport. According to the authorities, it should result in a 10% reduction in the number of vehicles entering Manhattan. And generate the equivalent of1 billion to improve public transport and repair roads.
For travellers to New YorkThis toll will of course have a cost. According to an environmental assessment of the anti-congestion toll programme published by the authorities, taxis and car-sharing services would have to charge price increases up to 17 %. It could also help to reduce the number of taxis in the city, which has already fallen sharply since the covid crisis. New York's iconic yellow taxi could eventually become an endangered species...
