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Congestion Pricing Resurrected As "Traffic Pricing"
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 26, 2011
Modified Jan 26, 2011
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 26, 2011
Modified Jan 26, 2011
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With the MTA budget crisis still looming large over the city and commuters, it seems that many politicians are scrambling for solutions behind the scenes. So to try to avert another fare increase and to restore some of last year's MTA service cuts, pols have quietly resurrected our old friend, congestion pricing. Except this time, the used car feels more like a pre-owned one: it's being called "traffic pricing." "The MTA needs a sustainable funding source. This has to be on the table," said state Sen. Daniel Squadron.
Three years ago, Mayor Bloomberg fought for congestion pricing, which would have charged cars traveling south of 86th Street $8 to enter lower Manhattan on weekdays. The plan didn't pass, largely because of a lack of support from outer borough and suburban politicians, led by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. But Mayor Bloomberg never gave up hope for the plan, telling CNBC in December, "come March, [the State Senate is] going to have to balance a budget and I think any kind of revenue source will be on the table...If we had done congestion pricing two years ago, perhaps they wouldn't be in this situation."
Now, Squadron and others think they can win over more of the Senate by reducing the payroll tax on businesses outside of Manhattan. "Everybody out in the suburbs hates the payroll tax, so the idea of 'feathering' the tax could be helpful," an anonymous source told the News. No big moves will happen until a definite plan is in place, according to Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson: "The key is devising a proposal that would win broad support across the five boroughs, the entire region, and in Albany." While Gov. Cuomo has not weighed in on the discussion yet, the News implies that Mayor Bloomberg has been orchestrating the plan for awhile now: "Bloomberg aides have been working on it behind the scenes for months."
Tagged
congestion pricing
mayor bloomberg
state senate
TRAFFIC PRICING
zombie
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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