New York City has started a new plan called congestion pricing. This plan makes drivers pay to drive in busy parts of Manhattan. The goal is to make less traffic and help pay for buses and subways.
Details of the New Toll System
Starting Sunday, cars and trucks entering Manhattan below 60th Street during busy times need to pay a $9 toll if they have an E-ZPass. If they don’t have an E-ZPass, they will pay more. This charge helps reduce the number of cars and raises money for the city’s transport needs.
New Jersey tried to stop this plan but failed. The courts said New York could start charging the tolls. People in New Jersey are not happy. They say it’s not fair to drivers from New Jersey who work or visit Manhattan.
How It Affects You
• Drivers entering from bridges or tunnels like the Lincoln or Holland will pay the new tolls.
• Residents of the Zone will not pay tolls unless they leave the zone and come back.
• Excluded Roads : Drivers on the FDR Drive or West Side Highway won’t pay tolls if they don’t join the busy streets.
The MTA says this plan will help make about $500 million every year. This money will go to fixing subways and buses. The plan should also make less traffic. Fewer cars mean less pollution and faster trips for everyone.
Some people think this is a good idea because it might make the air cleaner and reduce traffic jams. But, others feel it’s a lot of money every day just to drive into Manhattan. They worry it might make it too expensive for some people to drive to work or visit.
The city will watch how well the toll works. They want to see if it really makes traffic better and helps pay for transport. The price of the toll might go up in the future. Everyone hopes this plan will make traveling in New York City easier and better for the environment.…Read more by