Democrats running New York City are proposing a driving tax on residents and visitors. This proposal received federal approval last Friday.
$23 Daily to Drive in Manhattan
The Democratic administration of NYC plans to impose a $23 congestion charge on those driving in Manhattan’s busiest areas, according to Breitbart News.reports.
The driving tax program aims to target motorists going about their regular business and is expected to be launched in the spring of 2024. Several other cities worldwide, including London, Stockholm, and Singapore, have implemented similar measures.
The announcement of the driving tax came after NYC officials also decided to require pizzerias using wood and coal ovens to install new ovens to reduce carbon gas emissions by 75%.
According to The Associated Press, one of the proposed driving tolls could charge drivers up to $23 per day to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street.
The goal of this measure is to encourage people to abandon their cars and promote walking and the use of public transportation.
The exact amount of the driving tax is yet to be determined by NYC’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is responsible for implementing the plan to reduce driving in Manhattan.
The Federal Highway Administration has approved #NewYork‘s plan to implement a toll on driving in midtown Manhattan to combat traffic congestion, the first program of its kind in the United States. –#congestionpricing https://t.co/Prb9q8eGxX
— NYSBA Env & Energy (@NYSBAEELS) June 28, 2023
In order to combat heavy traffic congestion, New York state plans to implement a toll for drivers in NYC midtown. With federal approval, the plan can progress. https://t.co/uFcXf4bcjd
— Everett, West Seattle🇺🇸 (@Everett74708702) June 28, 2023
In order to combat heavy traffic congestion, New York state plans to implement a toll for drivers in NYC midtown. With federal approval, the plan can progress.
— Delaware Online (@delawareonline) June 27, 2023
Delayed for Years, But Still Happening
The implementation of this program was made possible after receiving approval from the Federal Highway Administration. A spokesperson for New York’s Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul enthusiastically announced this development
According to a CNN report, the Biden administration is also strongly supporting this plan.
The plan to reduce driving in Manhattan has faced multiple delays over the years. It faced opposition from New Jersey officials who were concerned about increased commuting costs for those driving to downtown NYC.
Taxi and car companies, whose services could become more expensive, have been among the primary opponents of this measure.
Other cities, like Los Angeles, considering implementing similar measures are also facing community resistance. It remains to be seen how far Democrats will go in restricting Americans’ freedom of movement.
Los Angeles County is finalizing plans for a pilot project in congestion pricing that could see drivers charged an additional fee to use certain high-frequency routes on freeways, in a bid to reduce traffic in the congested city. https://t.co/gWwlsv3I8u
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) May 31, 2023
New York City has told pizzerias that use coal or wood-burning ovens to slice their carbon emissions by 75 percent or else face hefty fines. https://t.co/zzKw0nZX97
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) June 27, 2023
This article appeared in Mainstpress and has been published here with permission.
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