New York City’s congestion pricing plan is set to charge drivers up to $15 per day to enter certain areas of the city. However, low-income workers are expected to be disproportionately affected by the new policy.
The plan will apply to vehicles with annual emissions above 95 grams per liter. Drivers who own or lease cars that do not meet this standard will need to pay a fee to cross into zones such as Central Park and Times Square.
But for firefighters, police officers, and other public safety workers, the toll is expected to be even higher. They are allowed to use their personal vehicles for work-related purposes, but will still have to pay the congestion charge to enter certain areas of the city.
Firefighters union officials say that the plan will force many firefighters to abandon their own cars and use public transportation, which they claim is not a viable option due to safety concerns. The FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association has called on the MTA to exempt members from paying the toll when driving their personal cars to firehouses.
The plan also affects low-income workers like teachers and plumbers who regularly commute to work in areas with high congestion charges. Paul Caminiti, a teacher from Staten Island, said he will have to pay an additional $13 per day to get to his school in the East Village, which is now being charged by the congestion pricing plan.
The plan is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue for the city, but many are concerned that it will disproportionately affect low-income workers and small business owners. The New York City Council has held hearings on the plan, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns about its impact on certain communities.
While congestion pricing exists in several other major cities worldwide, including London, Milan, and Singapore, critics argue that New York’s plan is unique in its scope and impact on low-income workers.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/01/03/us-news/congestion-pricing-will-cost-up-to-27-to-drive-into-manhattan