Could New York City Adopt London-style Congesting Pricing?

A nine month study on congestion pricing in New York reveals how a pricing plan might work, including a $7 charge during peak hours for autos in Manhattan south of 60th Street. [Link corrected.]

Charging drivers a fee to enter the city center succeeded in ameliorating traffic woes in London -- but can the concept make it on the mean streets of New York, N.Y.?

The Partnership for New York City, an influential business association, thinks "congestion pricing" for Gotham is just the ticket, and it's been working quietly for months to sell Mayor Mike Bloomberg (R) on the idea. A new report from the group suggests charging $7 per car during peak hours to encourage folks to use mass transit or car pool.

In London, where the daylong flat fee is $14, car congestion has lessened by one-third, some bus routes are running twice as fast, and there have been significant drops in air pollution. Bloomberg's office says congestion pricing isn't on his second-term agenda, but a NYC traffic commissioner backs the idea

From the article: "City officials acknowledged that Mr. Bloomberg had always been interested in some type of congestion-pricing model, but had said that he considered tolls on the East River bridges politically daunting. And while officials said some sort of business-district traffic charges could conceivably be workable, they would have to seriously consider what sort of political fight that would bring."

Thanks to Grist Magazine

Full Story: Driving Around Manhattan, You Pay, Under One Traffic Idea


Prepare for the AICP Exam

Starting at $199
Planetizen Courses image ad

Planetizen Courses

Starting at $14.95 a month
Women's t-shirt with map of Los Angeles

City T-Shirts for the ladies!

Book cover of Contemporary Debates in Urban Planning

Contemporary Debates in Urban Planning
