The New York Post learned that President Donald Trump’s administration plans to withdraw approval of New York City’s unpopular congestion pricing scheme in Manhattan.
The congestion toll affects travelers below 60th Street, which contains the hot spots in Manhattan during peak hours: 5 AM—9 PM on weekdays and 9 AM—9 PM on weekends.
Cars pay the $9 during peak hours. Others:
Motorists pay $2.25 during off-peak hours.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy will alert New York Gov. Kathy Hochul of the department’s Federal Highway Administration’s decision later today:
“New York State’s congestion pricing plan is a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners,” said Duffy, noting that commuters entering NYC have already financed the construction and improvement of city roadways through their taxes.“But now the toll program leaves drivers without any free highway alternative, and instead, takes more money from working people to pay for a transit system and not highways. It’s backwards and unfair,” he said, blasting the program as harmful to small businesses in the Big Apple that depend on customers from New Jersey and Connecticut.The department will officially rescind the Nov. 21 agreement signed under the Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP) that imposed a stiff $9 surcharge for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street starting in January.“Every American should be able to access New York City regardless of their economic means. It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few.”
Here is a map of the affected area in Manhattan. My friend highlighted the most popular area, which is just below Central Park and above the Flatiron District. It contains top tourist spots like Times Square:
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