ATA applauds defeat of NYC congestion plan

The American Trucking Assns. (ATA) has praised the New York State Legislature’s rejection of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to charge cars $8 and trucks $21 entering lower Manhattan from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.

ATA had several objections to the plan. According to ATA, 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.

“Like many areas of the United States, New York’s transportation networks are strained, and the city is searching for a solution to its problem,” said ATA president & CEO Bill Graves. “But congestion pricing schemes are unfair, ineffective and ignore our real transportation needs. While there is a need to heavily invest in infrastructure, congestion pricing does little to relieve congestion and is merely a revenue raiser.”