New York drivers to pay $15 congestion charge in US first

NEW YORK will become the first US city to introduce traffic congestion charges after its transport agency voted in favour of the tolls.

The scheme will come into effect in June, following years of pushback – and more than 20 years after London brought in its congestion tolls.

The pricing, which will charge vehicles to drive below Manhattan’s 60th Street, has led to a backlash from critics, who claim the $15 (£12) toll for cars will punish local drivers. Larger trucks and buses will face fees of up to $36.

“Don’t kill the goose that lays the egg,” said David Mack, one of 12 Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board members to vote against the plan on Wednesday night.

New York is the most congested city in the US, and the authority said the charge would cut traffic by 17 per cent, improve air quality and generate $1billion a year to improve public transport. “This programme will reduce traffic in Manhattan’s central business district, reduce pollution, and provide critical funding for transit improvements,” the MTA said.

Congestion charging is an unpopular concept in New York, where many people commute by car from boroughs and suburbs outside Manhattan. Its approval comes despite a string of ongoing lawsuits intended to stifle the plans.

Phil Murphy, the New Jersey governor who is bringing one of the legal challenges, said: “This is far from over and we will continue to fight this blatant cash grab. The MTA’S actions today are further proof that they are determined to violate the law in order to balance their budget on the backs of New Jersey commuters.”

New York says more than 900,000 vehicles enter the Manhattan Central Business District daily, reducing speeds to around 7 mph on average.

Drivers of passenger vehicles which enter at night will pay $3.75 under the new scheme and motorcycles will pay up to $7.50, the MTA said. Drivers will only be charged once a day.