New York to introduce congestion charge by the end of 2023

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After unlocking an environmental assessment by the US transit authority, New York came closer to becoming the first city in the country to introduce an urban toll for vehicles – as is already happening in London. Until the end of 2023, a congestion charge of up to US$23 (R$ 116) will be levied on drivers entering or staying in Manhattan.​

The objective is to decongest the city and raise funds to improve public transport. According to a recent study, the adoption of tariffs has the potential to reduce between 15% and 20% the number of cars that circulate in the district.

The system had already been approved in 2019 and was scheduled to start last year, but the administration of former President Donald Trump has not taken any steps to put it into practice.

This Wednesday (10), the federal authority responsible for road transit, FHWA, said it had approved the necessary environmental assessment. The agency, which will still review public suggestions submitted through Sept. 9, has not given a timeline for its decision, but must approve the new charge.

Passenger vehicles may have to pay between US$ 9 (R$ 45) and US$ 23 (R$ 116) to enter Manhattan at peak times, while at night tolls the fee would be US$ 5 (R$ 25) . Drivers can apply existing bridge and tunnel charges to congestion charges.

According to the MTA, the company responsible for public transportation in the state of New York, the fee can take effect up to 10 months after approval, a period necessary for the implementation of the system.

“Congestion charging is good for the environment, good for public transportation, and good for New York and beyond,” said Janno Lieber, CEO of the MTA.

The environmental assessment released Wednesday showed the tariff would reduce Manhattan traffic, improve air quality, make buses more reliable and improve transit. In addition, urban tolls can generate between US$ 1 billion (R$ 5 billion) and US$ 1.5 billion (R$ 7.5 billion) per year, supporting debt financing to improve public transport by US$ 15 billion (R$ 75.7 billion).

Riders Alliance, a traffic advocacy group, endorsed the move and said congestion charges could not come early enough.

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