Source: China News Service / Getty
Commuters in the Big Apple are breathing a sigh of relief. New York's proposed congestion pricing has been shelved by the state's governor.
As mentionted with raw story, the Metropolitan Transit Authority has put the first congestion pricing on hold. In April, it was announced that New York City would add a $15 toll to cars entering Manhattan at or below 61st Street, while trucks would face fees ranging from $24 to $36 depending on size. Unsurprisingly, the plan was met with strong criticism from residents, environmentalists and business owners who were not exempt.
The initiative was set to go into effect on Sunday, June 30, but Gov. Kathy Hochul abruptly pulled the plug. The New York Times called the decision was an “amazing 11th hour shift”. The politician issued a statement detailing her decision. “After careful consideration, I have come to the difficult decision that implementing the planned congestion pricing system risks too many unintended consequences,” he said “I have directed the MTA to indefinitely halt the program.”
Hotchul went on to point out that the fees could potentially do more harm than good. “Let's be real: A $15 fee may not seem like much to someone with means, but it can break the budget of a hard-working middle-class household.”
According to transit officials, nearly 700,000 vehicles enter Manhattan every day.
