USA: New York to start charging drivers $15 to enter Manhattan

The authorities feel this will encourage people to make use of public transport.

According to media reports, New York becomes the first city in the USA to charge congestion tolls for motorists driving into its central business district.

As per reports, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials voted a 11:1 to greenlight the taxes, to help reduce traffic jams in Manhattan. However, opponents of the regulations are already said to have filed a suit to stop the taxes being implemented. The lawsuit will reportedly delay the implementation of the toll system, which was initially scheduled to start in June 2024.

The toll system doesn't offer any exemption for any category of vehicles, even charging a fee for motorcyclists and yellow cab drivers. The only exemption from the toll system will be for government workers, a bus company with a Department of Education contract offering public, private and charter school buses and the city's 26,000 bus fleet. Some opponents of the toll system are infuriated with the exemption list as it doesn't include first responders and teachers.

Reports state that starting this summer, any passenger car wanting to drive into Manhattan South of 60th Street (South of Central Park), will be charged $15 during daytime and $3.75 at night.

The authorities feel this will encourage people to leave their vehicles at home and make use of public transport, while reducing traffic congestion.

Source: AutoEvolution