Save the MTA, destroy town? That appears to be the considering behind the outrageous congestion-pricing plan launched this week, with totally mind-boggling proposed tolls.
The scheme offers a variety of choices, however the hit — which might come as quickly as subsequent 12 months — requires slapping automobiles with as a lot as a $23 price for the “privilege” of driving in Manhattan south of sixtieth Road.
Below some eventualities, autos might deduct some or all of bridge and tunnel tolls from the congestion-pricing charges. However the whole $23 sum works out to $115 per week for 5 journeys. Or $5,750 for 50 weeks a 12 months. Truck charges are even greater.
Are they out of their minds?
This clobbers space drivers, particularly these residing within the outer boroughs or exterior town. Goodbye, return-to-your-office motion. Riders are already avoiding mass transit, because of crime; now they’re imagined to keep away from driving, too, to save cash?
Even Gov. Kathy Hochul, throughout the first gubernatorial debate this 12 months, agreed that is no time to impose any new price on drivers: “This isn’t going to occur within the subsequent 12 months below any circumstances,” she vowed, although she later largely flipflopped below strain.
The supposed objective is to unclog congestion on roads the place common speeds have plunged from 9.1 mph to 7.1 mph over the previous decade. But recall what additionally occurred throughout that decade: First, town started taking away site visitors lanes in favor of motorbike and bus lanes and pedestrian plazas. Then the de Blasio administration lowered velocity limits. What did they assume would occur to common site visitors speeds?
Now they are saying this new (extremely regressive) tax is the remedy? Seems like the child who killed his dad and mom, then pleaded for mercy as an orphan.
Sure, the MTA wants cash. However why should motorists cowl all of the company’s shortfalls? It’s not like transit staff are being requested to make concessions, in any case.
Sorry: This plan appears to be like like a secret plot to ship extra New York commuters to Florida.
