taxis

There is less and less time left for it to arrivespring 2024, and in addition to colorful flowers and green leaves on the trees and birds singing, the season will come with a hit to the wallet for thousands of drivers from the Big Apple and other neighboring states who travel down Manhattan’s 60th Street. The call will take effect “Congestion pricing”, a new tax that comes with additional costs for automobiles, regulations with which the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) is in the last stage to define final costs and guidelines.

And although the final decisions that will impact the implementation of the “Congestion Pricing” lawapproved in 2019, are not yet written in stone, this week recommendations were made available on contemplated costs that the MTA must now review.

The Traffic Mobility Review Board published its recommendations on costs, which as good news for drivers are lower than what was originally proposed. However, for many car users they remain high. The MTA and the Board had initially considered fares of up to $23 for passenger vehicles and up to $82 for trucks.

One of the details revealed is that the fee to enter the so-called congestion zonebelow 60th Street in Manhattan, is expected to be $15 dollars mostly. Commercial trucks could pay between $24 and $36, and in the case of cars that provide rented services, Uber and Lyft, it is thought at an additional $2.50 per trip, while taxis would pay $1.25 per fare.

In the case of drivers coming from New Jersey, one of the states that has made the most noise about the new rate, including the payment of tolls, the costs could reach figures of between $25 and $30 per day, for cross the Hudson River, so entities recommend a $5 discount for these drivers who enter Manhattan through the Queens-Midtown, Hugh L. Carey, Holland and Lincoln tunnels.

For those motorists coming from New Jersey through the George Washington Bridge, who currently pay almost $15 to cross during rush hour, their costs would rise to $30 per trip.

“As a conceptual matter, I support congestion pricing, as long as it is structured in a way that is fair to all parties, but this plan is neither fair nor equitable,” said state governor Jardín, Phil Murphy.

Danny Pearlsteindirector of Policy and Communications of the Riders Alliance organization, highlighted that the new resources that come in through the new tax be used to improve the Big Apple’s transportation system.

“The Congestion Charge will pay for the reliable and accessible metro network that users deserve; “It is difficult to think of a better way to invest the revenue collected from New Yorkers,” said the advocate for public transportation users. “Mayor Adams should make the most of congestion pricing by fulfilling his promise to millions of bus riders and building more bus lanes and roads to improve the service we depend on.”

The Tri-state Transportation Campaign was optimistic about the cost recommendations issued by the Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB) and said it expects the MTA Board to adopt them without significant changes.

“Our region’s residents and workers deserve the better transit, less traffic, safer streets and cleaner air that this first-in-the-nation policy will bring. The TMRB’s recommendations follow the guidance of the 2019 bill passed by the state Legislature and the Governor’s Office, and create a rational and simple toll structure that benefits the region’s commuters and commuters, the vast majority of whom arrive to Downtown Manhattan via public transportation,” the organization said in a statement.

“This announcement brings the implementation of Congestion Pricing even closer, bringing dramatic improvements to our transportation system, including accessibility improvements, bus electrification and signal modernization. With fewer cars on our streets, the City will have a unique opportunity to rethink, redesign and reclaim our streets for those who do not travel by car,” they added. “We anticipate faster buses, more space for pedestrians and cyclists, less noise associated with congestion and more livable neighborhoods for the millions of people in our region who live, work or visit midtown and lower Manhattan.”

The Taxi Workers Alliance However, they do not welcome any increase for this type of vehicle and assure that if it occurs, “it will devastate an entire workforce.”

Preliminary data of the Congestion Charge

• $15 dollars would be the cost to cross into Manhattan below 60th Street mostly
• $24 and $36 would be the cost for commercial trucks depending on the size
• Additional $2.50 per ride for Uber and Lyft
• $1.25 fare for taxis.
• It would cost $25 and $30 a day to cross the Hudson River in total for those coming from New Jersey