NYC congestion plan nixed
The congestion pricing plan for vehicles entering Manhattan furiously lobbied for by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was killed by the New York State Assembly. The proposal would have required cars entering Manhattan below 60th St. between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays to pay $8 and trucks $21.
The plan needed to pass for the city to receive $354 million in federal funds earmarked for mass transit improvements. New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced the Chamber wouldn't take up the congestion plan due to heavy opposition within the predominantly Democratic assembly.
The American Trucking Assns. had voiced its own objections, which included: congestion pricing does not increase road capacity; charges an additional fee for trucks that have already paid taxes for highway use; increases congestion in nearby areas; and increases costs for businesses and consumers. In addition, truck drivers cannot change their delivery or shift times to adjust to the plan, ATA noted.
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