Manhattan borough president outlines recommendations to get congestion pricing back on track
NEW YORK -- The Manhattan borough president unveiled plans Wednesday to get congestion pricing back on track.
It has been years since New York approved the plan, which creates a new tolling zone in Manhattan.
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said his office held congestion pricing roundtables to figure out some of the most pressing issues and concerns.
He called Wednesday for a variable fee that allows for off-peak pricing. He said smaller cars should pay less than larger ones, and those vehicles should pay less than trucks.
He also said drivers who come into Manhattan from the East or West Side should pay the same amount.
"We want to make sure that the tolls that people are paying for the Hudson River tunnels are applied toward the congestion fee, so that people cannot toll shop by trying to take a longer trip, for example, across the East River," he said.
Levine said for-hire vehicles should be exempt, because they already pay a $2.75 fee per trip.
The fee for entering Manhattan's Central Business District could range from $9 to $23 for E-ZPass holders, and $14 to $35 without an E-ZPass.
The purpose is to raise $1 billion a year for mass transit, with 80% going toward subway improvement and 20% for commuter rails.
The final ruling on the fee structure will be made by a panel after an environmental impact assessment involving 28 counties in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Many people are imploring the MTA to deny exemptions to elected officials, including the governor, mayor and City Council, and to make all city employees pay, even police and court officers.
City officials say congestion pricing is not expected to start until the end of 2023 at the earliest.