David Shepardson
(Reuters) – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Monday asked President Donald Trump to reconsider the federal government’s approval of the state’s first congestion pricing program in New York that began on Jan. 5.
Murphy, a Democrat, said the program is “a disaster for New Jersey travelers and must receive the careful attention it deserves from the federal government.”
Under the program, passenger vehicles are charged $9 during peak periods in Manhattan south of 60th Street. Trucks and buses pay up to $21.60. At night, the fee is reduced by 75%.
It was designed to reduce traffic and raise billions for mass transit, with most of the revenue going toward upgrading the city’s subway and bus system.
The White House did not immediately comment, but a Trump spokesman criticized the plan in November.
During the first week after the fee was introduced, traffic in Manhattan’s central business district fell by 7.5%.
The fee went into effect after New Jersey failed to convince a judge to stop it.
Topping up via electronic license plate readers, private cars pay once a day regardless of how many times they enter the central business district. Taxis pay 75 cents per trip, and ride-sharing vehicles are booked by apps like Uber (NYSE: ) and Lyft (NASDAQ: ) pay $1.50 per trip.
Several other cities around the world already have congestion pricing systems. London, which implemented its system in 2003, now charges £15 ($18.49). Singapore and Sweden also have congestion pricing plans.
Before the fee went into effect, New York said more than 700,000 vehicles a day entered Manhattan’s central business district, slowing traffic to an average of about 7 miles per hour (11 km per hour), 23% slower than in 2010. . year.
The city estimates the congestion charge will bring in $500 million in the first year. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the money would support $15 billion in debt financing for mass transit capital improvements, with 80% of the money going to the subway and bus system and the other 20% to two commuter rail systems.
