Mayor Bloomberg had some things to say about that.

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Congestion Pricing Buried By State Assembly Despite Last Gasps

This effectively ends New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s bid to charge $8 for cars coming into lower Manhattan during rush hour in order to reduce congestion and fund major mass transit initiatives.

Benjamin Kabak of SecondAvenueSagas.com argues that ‘elitism’ was the cause of the defeat of congestion pricing, asserting that lower-Manhattan rush hour commuters were especially well-heeled (I’m assuming because they can afford the daily gas, tolls, and parking fees) and fought against the additional fee.

Others have countered that it is actually less affluent car commuters who could not bear the $8 fee which resulted in the bill being shot down.(note: only the Democratic majority of the State Assembly was involved in the vote) 

Assemblyman Mark S Welprin (D, Queens) said that members voted in line with their constituents.

This is exactly what the members should not have done.

Congestion pricing is a forward-looking and ambitous investment in New York City’s future development which carries a predictably unpopular tax, and as such it is an initiative which needs to be brought forward by statesmenship, not representation. But once again, politics and re-election fears insure that no representatives will need carry the burden of supporting anything intelligent and necessary yet unpopular.

New York City commuters have just been delivered across-the-board fare hikes in New York City public transport and been told by MTA that despite these hikes, promised improvements are being delayed for economic reasons. Of course there is not enough constituent support of congestion pricing – its just too much money being asked of commuters in a city where commuters are consistently getting less for more and not seeing any return on fare hike investment.

I think there is less delineation between mass transit and car commuters than everyone seems to think, and a general distrust that the massive $8 fare will be perfectly collected yet poorly appropriated.

In any event, considering the scope and interest in Congestion Pricing, its criminal that this vote was not brought out onto the floor for public vote. It guarantees that no one in Albany can be held personally accountable for their vote.

Well done, gentlemen.

(clap).

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Congestion Pricing Dies In Albany Behind Closed Doors In Secret Vote

The measure now goes to the state legislature, who is expected to rubber-stamp the measure.

If approved, the new tolls could be imposed by March 31, 2009.

I am too lazy to paraphrase the plan, so I will quote the New York Times Cityroom:

“The congestion pricing plan, as approved by a 17-member state commission that voted at the end of January, would charge drivers with an E-ZPass $8 a day to enter Manhattan below 60th Street on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those drivers would also receive a credit for bridge or tunnel tolls they paid on the same day. Drivers without an E-ZPass would pay $9 and would not receive credit for tolls.”

via New York Times Cityroom

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Congestion Pricing Approved By New York City Council