As people continue to leave New York City in response to rising crime and skyrocketing costs, New York is now preparing to implement a “congestion charge” of up to $23 per trip for every car entering Lower Manhattan.
New York City is moving again to ease traffic.
Not by building new roads/tunnels/lanes/bridges.
But by implementing a pay-to-play traffic system.
Later this year, NYC will charge $23 per vehicle per day to enter Midtown & Downtown Manhattan.
That is on top of existing $17… pic.twitter.com/QdIVkuo885
— The Cybertruck Guy (@cybrtrkguy) June 11, 2023
While crime is rising in New York, district attorneys like Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg have downgraded felonies and even refused to prosecute certain criminals. Despite evidence showing that these actions make New York City less safe, Democrat leaders in the city continue to ignore the issue.
Rather than focusing on making the city and New York state as a whole safer for its residents, politicians have instead decided to push to take more money out of residents’ wallets — and deter visitors from entering the city.
In early 2024, a new tax will be implemented in New York City. According to Breitbart News’ John Nolte, “By next spring, depending on what you are driving and how much traffic there is, New York’s Central Business District Tolling Program will hit you with a toll ranging from $9 to $23 for the pleasure of driving in the city. That’s each time. So if you forget something and have to run back home…. If you enjoy going home for lunch… If you have to pick your kids up from school at different times… Can you imagine?”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated the new tax, claiming it will help the city.
“This program is critical to New York City’s long-term success,” she claimed.
The Biden administration has been supportive of the decision. According to CNN, “President Joe Biden’s administration is set to allow New York City to move forward with a landmark program that will toll vehicles entering Lower Manhattan, after a public review period ends Monday.”
“In practice it works like any other toll, but because it specifically charges people to drive in the traffic-choked area below 60th street in Manhattan, it would be the first program of its kind in the United States,” the outlet added.
CNN also celebrated the new toll as a “landmark” move and noted that it could spread to other cities.
The program had been delayed for several years, but the Federal Highway Administration finally signed off on the release of an environmental assessment of the plan last month. The public had until June 12 to review the report, and the federal government is expected to approve the program in the coming days.
