insignificant thoughts - Latest Comments in Congestion Pricing in Manhattan? Let’s Hope…

Re: Congestion Pricing in Manhattan? Let’s Hope…

ManhattanDowntowner — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 14:21:33 -0000

WWhen the 18% parking garage surcharge was started years ago, purportedly to reduce traffic congestion, it had absolutely NO effect on traffic congestion in Manhattan - and everyone is still paying exorbitant garage parking fees in Manhattan.

Congestion Pricing would have the same effect - added driving taxes forever, and absolutely no effect on traffic congestion.

Additionally, 150,000 government sector vehicles with parking permits have been "exempt" from millions of illegal parking violations for years, an inexcusable practice that has been ignored by Bloomberg. Because of this history of "exempting" government sector commuters, congestion taxing is a terrible idea because the reality is that the City WILL exempt all 150,000 government sector commuters again, and traffic congestion will be made even worse. Elimination of illegal permit abuse is a prerequisite to congestion taxing!

Re: Congestion Pricing in Manhattan? Let’s Hope…

Vidiot — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:58:16 -0000

Hear, hear. Except that the congestion charge should be coupled with a crackdown on people who abuse parking permits as well.

Re: Congestion Pricing in Manhattan? Let’s Hope…

alina — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:47:28 -0000

I wholeheartedly agree with Bloomberg's plan. Traffic in the city is a mess. At the rate it's growing, it's only going to get worse. The problem is, we need it to continue growing to thrive.
The only way to maintain a quality of life and the status of the city, something has to be done. I applaud Bloomberg for his plan. He's thinking ahead. And what i also like about him is that he is taking what may seem to be unpopular steps in the short term but will benefit us all hugely in the long term. Go Mayor Bloomberg!

Re: Congestion Pricing in Manhattan? Let’s Hope…

Chris — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:08:55 -0000

In principle it's not a bad idea. Personally, I can't stand driving in the city -- I only take the train when I need to get into Center City Philly. I say why not charge people (namely out-of-towners, etc.) who want to be foolish enough to take their cars into the city.

My beef, like you pointed out, was charging people who live in the zone.

While you're more-than-likely very right that the 6A-6P window will probably keep this from causing people who live in the area to have to pay and that people in the zone don't have cars to begin with, it still doesn't seem right to even make the few this might effect pay just because their home is inside the area.

Thanks for throwing your $0.02 out there. I'm guessing most people in NY are for this? It would make sense they would be since a majority up there use MTA or walk, right?