The View From Here . . .
By Bob Morgan, Jr.

A topic which may not have attracted the attention of people across the New York metropolitan area, but which should, is the proposed imposition of congestion pricing by New York City.

Basically, the administration of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing a $8 fee on private vehicles ($21 for trucks) entering the central business district, currently defined as south of 86th Street in Manhattan, but which seems likely to be redefined as south of 60th Street.

In effect, $8 round trip tolls would be placed on all of the East River bridges, a number of which (the 59th Street bridge, for example) are currently free. Cars not going over a bridge or tunnel coming from the north to the 60th or 86th Street boundary (say from upper Manhattan or the Bronx) would pass by security cameras, which would collect the toll by Easy Pass or record the license plate of drivers of non-Easy Pass drivers, who would receive a bill. (The camera plan has attracted opposition from civil liberties groups and will be very expensive to implement.) Tolls would continue to be collected on the Hudson River crossings from New Jersey.

Much of the additional net revenue from congestion pricing would be slated for mass transit improvements, including commuter rail upgrades and new express buses as well as stricter enforcement of existing rules, such as those relating to double parking and truck unloading. Also, the new revenues would provide a dedicated stream for the upkeep of the previously free bridges. The idea of congestion pricing is not new, and has been adopted abroad in London and other cities.

Among the most impacted will be drivers from Long Island, who will lose the option of the previously free bridges. In contrast, New Jersey drivers will not be affected significantly, unless the Hudson River tolls are raised by the Port Authority, since these motorists presumably can credit their existing tolls against the $8 fee.

Proponents of congestion pricing assert that traffic is a major problem for business and individuals alike, causing considerably lower productivity to business, stress to individuals, as well as significant environmental damage. In addition, they assert that the situation is likely to get worse over time as the population of the region increases. They also believe that motorists and nonmotorists alike will benefit from the new revenues. Finally, they point out that the federal government has promised to subsidize a portion of the implementation costs of the program.

Not surprisingly, the plan has attracted considerable opposition. Opponents call the plan simply a disguised tax, and predict that the tolls and area defined as the central business district will quickly get bigger once the initial plan is adopted. In addition, they say that the amount of traffic congestion that the plan will reduce, approximately 6%, is not enough to warrant the costs and hassles of the program. There is also concern that New Jersey drivers are in effect getting a free ride in comparison, say, with Long Island motorists.

The congestion pricing plan is currently being studied by a commission, which may make some modifications. Before it becomes law, it must pass the New York City Council and then both houses of the state legislature, as well as be approved by Governor Spitzer, generally a supporter. (It previously stalled in the Assembly last June.) This is a significant piece of legislation, worthy of interest well beyond the borders of New York City.