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submitted 3 days ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world

Summary

New York City has become the first U.S. city to implement a congestion charge, with car drivers paying up to $9 daily to enter areas south of Central Park.

The scheme aims to reduce traffic and fund public transport but has faced opposition, including from Donald Trump, who has vowed to overturn it.

Fees vary by vehicle type, with trucks and buses paying higher rates.

Despite legal challenges, the initiative moves forward as New York remains the world's most congested urban area, with peak traffic speeds averaging just 11 mph.

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[-] rumba@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 days ago

They see it as a tax. They don't really like taxes.

And honestly there's a fair amount of stuff in lower Manhattan that can't be adequately serviced by public transportation. Large conventions, cruise traffic, hotels. People bring their cars to those things because they want to have more than just what they can carry with them, and when they return they don't want to have to stand around for two to three hours to get enough trains through to disperse them back to Secaucus where they parked. (And God forbid there be a breakdown in the line right there)

If it doesn't adequately reduce the congestion it's just a tax. If it does adequately reduce the congestion, You're going to put a hell of a lot of parking, hotels and convention out of business.

Congestion charges make sense when it's congestion just for the sake of people wanting to drive, But it doesn't solve the reasons people are driving. New York City public transportation doesn't have the capacity to handle these big events.

I hate to be on Trump's side with anything, but this issue needs some infrastructure changes along with the congestion tax where it's going to be just a massive tax with no actual solution.

[-] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 9 points 3 days ago

It's not going to stop people driving in entirely. It's just going to add a cost. So that people who deem the cost "worth it" can still drive in. Like those taking a cruise.

[-] rumba@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 days ago

So it's just a tax on those people for no reason. I can't really say that I love it.

[-] tiefling 10 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

It's a tax on the people who cause congestion during peak hours and make downtown miserable, yes

[-] HowAbt2morrow@futurology.today 6 points 2 days ago

It’s like paying for an extra topping on your NY style pizza. Only those that want that topping will pay for it, not everyone else.

In countries where a having a car is considered a luxury, only those with one pay a “permission to circulate” (tax on driving) which goes to paying for road maintenance and the like. And how much you pay every year is prorated to the cost of your car. Sucks, but seems fair if you don’t have a car.

I think this congestion tax is similar, but it the same. You pay for what you use.

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this post was submitted on 05 Jan 2025
288 points (100.0% liked)

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