$15 to Enter Manhattan; New Commuter Tax

Subway crowdsPhoto byEddi AguirreonUnsplash

Vehicles entering certain parts of New York city will be charged a new $15 dollar fee for congestion, in order to push more people to use public transportation. The fact that violent attacks on the transit system are up 50%, and subway murders are surging may be a reason ridership is down 30%.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board on Wednesday voted to greenlight the congestion pricing plan, expected to go into effect in June. Multiple requests for exceptions were rejected. The new toll was approved by the state legislature back in 2019, but implementation was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The vote authorizes a $15 toll on most commuter passenger vehicles that drive into Manhattan south of 60th Street, a zone that's south of Central Park, during daytime hours. Tolls are higher for larger vehicles, and lower for late-night entries into the city, as well as for motorcycles.

Guard troopsPhoto byChris HenryonUnsplash

The violence on the public transit system has prompted Governor Hochul to send National Guard Troops to assist in defending the subway system.

Perhaps the fifteen dollars is worth it.