A draft report has detailed what commuters could pay once congestion pricing is implemented in New York. According to CBS New York political reporter Marcia Kramer, the toll for drivers to enter the Central Business District below 60th Street will be $15 on weekdays and weekends. There will be varying tolls for other vehicles, such as small trucks and taxis. The report states that people with medical appointments or special conditions that prevent them from taking public transportation will not receive credits. It also proposes that public employees, with exceptions, will have to pay the full toll rate.
The report is based on public comments and takes into account the need to limit discounts and exemptions to keep overall toll rates low. The hope is that low night tolls will encourage more people to drive overnight, easing congestion during the day. The report is still in draft form and has not yet been approved by the MTA board, but officials hope that it will be completed by early 2024. While lawsuits remain outstanding, the next board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 6.
The Traffic Mobility Review Board has been careful to limit the exemptions and discounts provided in the report, noting that each special case that is granted could lead to others asserting equal worth. The draft report suggests a specific high standard for offering a discount or exemption, especially for trips that can shift to transit. Tolls could be put in place as early as spring 2024 as part of the congestion pricing plan, pending official approval and public comment.
Source
Photo credit www.cbsnews.com
