It's Official: Congestion Pricing Coming to New York City

In New York, the way to fight traffic and raise billions for a crumbling mass transit system is to implement a new fee for driving below 60th Street. While all of the details still need to be worked out, prices are predicted to be around $11 per car and $25 per truck, with special exemptions or credits for low-income area residents, persons with disabilities, and those who need to visit medical services in the area.

Who knew that fighting traffic and raising money could be at odds with each other? Make it too expensive and inconvenient to drive in Manhattan, and traffic evaporates—but the city will raise little money to invest in its struggling transit network. Set a lower price, making it still inexpensive and convenient to drive, and the city will raise lots of money for subways—but not relieve much congestion.

We’ll have to wait until the end of 2020, when the plan is set to go into effect.

This is a hot button issue for sure…where do you stand?