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The New York Times notes an interesting and under-stressed part of Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan that would charge drivers $8 for entering a certain zone in midtown and lower Manhattan: the plan is also going to charge drivers $8 to leave midtown and downtown Manhattan. The Times seems to think that charging drivers to exit a proposed congestion zone is counterintuitive, prompting Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff to admit that congestion pricing has less to do with reducing congestion, than just getting people not to drive in Manhattan at all.
Thus far, support for congestion pricing has been highest in Manhattan, with outer borough residents expressing less enthusiasm for the plan that would charge them entrance to another borough in their own city. Manhattan likely has a lower ratio of car owners than other boroughs, but congestion pricing plan proponents have been downplaying the feature that will exact a toll to leave the island, or simply travel north of 86th St.
Yesterday, Manhattanites expressed support for the traffic reduction plan. But when told they might have to pay $8 to drive out of the zone, they changed their tone.“I don’t think it’s fair,” said Jose Hernandez, 60, a parking lot attendant who lives on West 57th Street. “I’ve got family uptown, and my son lives in the Bronx.”
Mr. Hernandez, who was buying gas at a Hess station on 10th Avenue near 45th Street, supported charging people who drive into Manhattan. But he was unhappy with the idea of an $8 fee to drive out.
“If I have to pay $8, I’ll use the train,” he said.
That seems to be what the congestion plan is attempting to promote. The State Legislature is not that fond of Bloomberg's traffic tax. And New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine wasn't ready to meet the plan with open arms either, saying that his state's mass transit system was not prepared to accept a massive increase in ridership.
(Kurt Russell as Snake Pliskin, in Escape From New York)
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Awesome. Less driving, more air. Let's hope Silver gets off his ass and votes for it.
And Corzine is such a hypocrite. He recently committed NJ to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 80% in the next few decades. And how does he think this can possibly done without majorly reducing driving?
Bloomberg already taxed and fined us to the tune of 2.4 billion dollars in surplus. I think he's done enough. I'm sick of giving all my money to the city and getting nothing in return.
SNAKE PLISKIN NOT JAKE PLISKIN
“If I have to pay $8, I’ll use the train,” he said.
Yeah, that's kind of the point, dipshit.
Ha! Thanks [3]. The boss will be glad to know he's never too far from mind.
#2 As a car driver, right now you are making the majority of citizens pay, while you *under* pay.
#2 - Don't drive. Problem solved.
5, Snake is New York's greatest hero.
Snake didn't have a bike in escape from NY, did he?
That was escape from LA.
#6 & #7.....it's not that easy. I have equipment to transport for work. Not as simple as just "don't drive". This is the problem with you people. Traffic exists because there are 8.5 million people here. It doesn't exist because people like sitting in their cars all day long. Wake up!
#10 Traffic exists because 1) too many people choose to drive when they have an alternative, 2) current public policy encourages car use.
Since you claim to need to use a car, then you should be in favor of congestion pricing, because your commute will get easier, as there will be fewer cars on the road!
#11 I'm not in favor of paying for driving in traffic. I disagree with you completely. I don't think people choose to drive in the mess that is Manhattan and I don't believe that people drive because public policy encourages car use. Public policy encourages that? Where!?!?!? People drive (like myself) because they have to. You have to realize that this city is bursting at the seams with people. Nothing will change that. Every other major city has the same problem. Making me pay for driving will not make me lug 6-7 cases of equipment onto the subway. But if I did (to save money) I'm sure you'd complain about that and ask for a tax or fee for people carrying stuff onto the subway.
I would check the facts on this. Last thing I heard, it was only $4 for congestion zone (Manhattan below 86th) residents for the whole day.
That was what was said in the initial speech, proposed in the book and has been reinforced many times.