As the first in the US, New York has started a contentious plan to tax vehicles entering some areas of the city, placing local officials in direct opposition to US President-elect Donald Trump, reports RTE.
In November, state governor Kathy Hochul said that cars would be have to pay a $9 (€8.73) daytime toll starting at midnight when they entered parts of Manhattan south of Central Park.
That idea brings back a $15 basic charge plan that she had put on hold in June, citing “too many unintended consequences for New Yorkers,” reports RTE.
Republican legislators have urged Mr. Trump, a native New Yorker who has promised to put an end to the plan if elected, to step in and put an end to it immediately.
Communities that border New York City have contended that a fee would harm their companies and make it more difficult for local citizens to travel into Manhattan, reports RTE.
A judge rejected a last-ditch attempt by state officials in adjacent New Jersey to halt the plan due to its potential environmental effects on nearby communities.
The system, which had encountered other legal obstacles, was given a clean slate by that decision, underscoring the problem of taxing drivers in a nation where automobiles rule the road.
The goal of the strategy is to lessen traffic while also contributing to the funding of the New York subway system, reports RTE.
According to Ms. Hochul, it was brought back to life after an evaluation revealed that it would function at a reduced cost.
A strong hauler trade organisation and a few elected borough officials in New York City opposed the proposal, reports RTE.
The idea was also rejected by groups of taxi drivers.
A price will be applied to impacted clients, but their members—both pre-booked ride-hail drivers and drivers of the city’s recognisable yellow taxis—will not be responsible for the cost.
Every day, some 700,000 automobiles visit the region, and due to traffic, cars can only go 11 kmph on average—and even slower in some places, according to officials, reports RTE.
There is a low-income discount scheme and a number of exclusions from the main cost.
Drivers that enter the tolling zone more than 10 times per month are also eligible for reductions, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
