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NYC Contemplating Congestion Charge

Calrissian

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http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/news/article.aspx?cp-documentid=6807418

Canadian Auto Press

If you're an international automotive fan, you're probably aware of the situation in London regarding the Congestion Charge, and the idea that driving in certain areas in central London between certain hours will cost you money makes you cringe. It started back in 2003 at a cost of £5 per drive, more recently rose to £8, and is expected to make a giant leap to £25 this October for vehicles that emit more than 225 g/km of carbon dioxide.

Though London isn't the first place to implement a road pricing scheme of this sort, it is one of the most discussed, that is, until a similar plan gets implemented in New York City. New York City Council has voted in favour of "Congestion Pricing", with a 30-to-20 vote for the plan, and now the issue is on its way to the Senate to gain approval.

Which jurisdictions will be affected? Anywhere south of 60th Street will be taxed between the hours of 6 am and 6 pm. And how much? If you drive a regular car, it'll set you back $8. If it's a truck you're driving the price nearly triples to $21. Payment is made through a transponder called E-ZPass, although vehicles that don't have one can pay their tolls via mail or the internet. Low-income commuters will receive tax deductions and handicapped drivers won't need to pay.

Those in favour of the system say that it would bring in much-needed funds to improve the city's transit system. Although this info at first seems pretty much irrelevant to anyone who lives or works outside of Manhattan, keep in mind that if New York City gets the go-ahead with Congestion Pricing it won't be long before other cities catch on.
 
$1 billion annually for transit would be a boon for Toronto. Then again, given our much smaller population than NY, we would rake in only $200-300 million. I believe that was the number being thrown around when Tory proposed tolling the DVP.
 
If something similar was implemented for Toronto, where exactly would people be charged for driving in?

My gut feeling would be either the area enclosed by Bloor, Jarvis, Front, and Spadina; or the Gardiner and DVP between Dufferin and the Prince Edward Viaduct.
 

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