First US city to charge congestion fee, congressman calls on Trump for help

New York City began implementing a controversial plan on January 5th to charge drivers for entering certain areas of the city.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced in November 2024 that drivers entering areas of Manhattan south of Central Park in New York City would have to pay a daytime toll of $9 (over 228,000 VND), according to AFP.

A plan to charge drivers to reduce traffic congestion went into effect in New York City on January 5th.

The plan revives an original scheme that Ms. Hochul had suspended in June, saying it had "too many unintended consequences for New Yorkers." The original plan applied a basic fee of $15.

The plan to charge a fee was intended to reduce congestion and help fund the New York subway system. Ms. Hochul said the plan was reinstated after an assessment showed it would be effective at a lower fee.

The local MTA transport authority posted a video on Instagram showing CEO Janno Lieber announcing the "congestion reduction zone" sign before the system was activated, to the cheers of a small audience.

Meanwhile, the New York Post criticized the MTA's "fun event," which was staged "hours before the driver had to endure the pain."

Republican lawmakers have called on President-elect Donald Trump to intervene to end the toll collection plan. Trump, a New Yorker, has pledged to abolish the plan if elected.

Neighborhoods around New York City have argued that a fee would harm their businesses and impair residents' ability to commute into Manhattan.

Several elected New York City county officials, as well as a powerful trade group representing transportation companies, opposed the fee plan.

Taxi drivers' associations also oppose the plan. Members of the associations will not pay the fees themselves, but affected customers will be charged additional charges.

There are many exemptions for the basic fee, as well as discount programs for low-income earners. Additionally, there are discounts for drivers who enter the toll zone more than 10 times a month.

Similar toll collection programs have been in place for years in other major cities including London (UK) and Stockholm (Sweden), but US cities will be watching closely to see how New York's toll rates impact both traffic and revenue, according to AFP.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thanh-pho-dau-tien-o-my-thu-phi-un-tac-nghi-si-cau-cuu-ong-trump-185250106111913491.htm