As a lifelong Democrat I can guarantee that I'll be voting straight down the Republican ticket come next election. Those in the Legislature represent the worst side of incompetence and are shivs for the rich.

I think the mayor needs to fix a few problems with his plan before passing it. But he needs to be allowed to get it examined by academics, economists and traffic modellers.

I seriously think we need some London economists to take a look at his plan. It's not that the economists are better in London than nyc, its they aren't living here and have no special interest in what happens with the plan. I'd like a Pareto optimal congestion plan. Our mayor is probably smart enough to know what that actually means.

Ha Ha, Speaker silver wonders if there ever was a deadline.

We caught you in your lie bloomberg, you can't force another one of your plans on us again.

NO West Side Stadium, NO Olympics, No fly by night Congestion Plan without oversight.

What's the hurry? bub, If it's a good plan let's see it, but there's too many questions.

PH-You are a genius, probably the only one with your brain commenting here.

It's funny to remember how traffic was 20 years ago, when their was real gridlock.

Bloomberg Sucks.

Does anybody know what the plan is for motorcycles? Would we be charged the same fee as cars?

hope not

With all due respect to our Jewish friends, but is America really ready for a Jew in the White House? As if the world doesn't hate us enough already...LOL

41

Oh, I get it. It doesn't even occur to you that there is something wrong with money being the common denominator of true value (both individual and public). You just observe that that's the way it is and that's enough for you. You think of yourself as a realist, eh? Thanks for the reality check. Now lets work together to change that.

35: Nice bait there jackass. We don't live in Libertopia.

36: No, the tolls I pay do not go wholly to bridge reconstruction. In fact according to the Interstate Highway Act, since they're all Interstate shield designations they're subject to the 90/10 split funding system..which means that the Federal Government covers 90 percent of the costs of upkeep and expansion of said roadways.

The vast majority of toll collection on cars goes back into the MTA's coffers which, in turn, goes into funding the mass transit options whether it be busses or trains, both of which operate at a loss as it is because the MTA can't raise fares without everyone in the city having a fucking aneurysm.

But continue to take it out on me, the guy who actually contributes tax dollars in the form of business and personal spending in the 5 boroughs.

Like I said above, I would have no problem with this, if they un-tolled the major crossings out in the outerboroughs..all of which get MUCH more usage than the free east river crossings. That will not happen though because no one in the city will pay 6 bucks to get on the subway.

39: Exactly.

-Ph

#38 (and I am #35): I completely agree that red baiting is out of date in 2007. That's because these days you almost never encounter anyone seriously pushing for a Marxist economy. That's why it's so freakish and jarring to hear someone arguing that it should be free to drive down the street in Manhattan. It's sort of like hearing someone gripe about how men no longer wear fedoras or something.

And in case my tone in the other post didn't make it screamingly obvious, I don't actually believe that America = Capitalism. That would be as laughably extreme/idiotic as the argument that no one should have to pay to drive down 34th Street.

Hey [37] - ok. We get it. You can stop now.

The whole Congestion Pricing scheme is just a more sophisticated pork barrel set-up for Bloomberg and his constituents (the already rich). The awful part of it is the insinuation that if you are not for it then you are not for the environment. (a further insult to us all)

To #35 (and I am not #34)

Communist? You sound like a reactionary dummy who can't tell the difference between the Constitution and Capitalism. America doesn't = Capitalism. Libertarian Capitalist "free market" dupes are the best friend of the people who want to take over this country and rule it from the shadows. Get a life and while you're at it, read a better book or better yet, think for yourself.

Red baiting in 2007!? Boy, are you out of touch.

Where's the money from the cigarette tax?

34, the tolls you pay are meant to pay for the road or bridge or tunnel they're on. The toll for the Holland Tunnel is just that; to pay for the Holland Tunnel. The tolls on the Jersey turnpike are to pay for the turnpike. The roads in manhattan at this point are untolled and free to travel on. This must change or traffic will continue to pile up.

"I end up paying more per ride, even with EZPass by multiples than anyone using a train."

Isn't that the point? The city wants to encourage people to use public transport not drive around the region in their individual cars.

#34: Oh, I get it now -- you're a communist! "To each according to his needs" and all that.

Well, I have some bad news for you. This is America, and here we use supply and demand to allocate scarce, expensive resources. The streets of Manhattan have long stood as a bizarre exception to that principle, but Bloomberg is finally trying to set that right.

You want a plot of land? Pay for it! And if a lot of people want land, it's gonna be expensive. Hard to increase the supply of land.

You want to hire a plumber? Pay him! And if everyone else in town wants a plumber that day too, it's going to cost you big bucks.

You want to drag 1000+ lbs of steel around Manhattan? Pay as much as the market will bear! This ain't the Soviet Union, after all.

I already pay for usage of the roads in the city by the Tolls I have to pay just to get into the city from any points north or West (which is often, due to many factors).

In fact, when I drive in for work, day in and day out, not even touching Manhattan, I end up paying more per ride, even with EZPass by multiples than anyone using a train.

So if I have to, by some off chance, go from one of the boroughs into the polis, I get charged 3 times instead of 2.

How is that Equitable?

-Ph

All the plan really does is add tolls to all the free entry points to Manhattan. Get it passed.

#27: why do you think taxi drivers will be hurt? taxis won't be charged at all under the plan. and they'll be able to move around faster and will have more customers, so this is actually a windfall for them. or have you just not been paying any attention to the details of the plan?

Ph, #27 -

The congestion charge is not "fleecing" drivers. Drivers would be paying for what they are using - space on our crowded roads.

#25 -> What would deter you more from bringing your car into manhattan: sitting in gridlock for hours, or paying 8 bucks? (you post actually supported my argument)

If _every_ time you brought your car into manhattan, it was simply ineffective... well, you'd stop.

And we wouldn't have another way for them to just take money away from us.

One lane of every avenue for bikes, separated by jersey barriers.

Where's all the money from the cigarette tax?

Money won't stop cars. Stopping cars, stops cars.