- cross-posted to:
- news@beehaw.org
- cross-posted to:
- news@beehaw.org
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I hate cars but I do not support this congestion pricing. It is a regressive tax, a transfer of value (the right of use of the limited street space) from the working class to the rich. There is already a mechanism in place that limits driving - it’s congestion itself. In New York they say “No one drives here, there is too much traffic!” and it’s true! 90% of workers in Manhattan commute by public transit. The only ones driving onto the island are those that absolutely have to, because during rush hour any more literally can’t fit. This is the only problem the rich couldn’t buy their way out of - their chauffeured Suburban SUVs had to sit in traffic like everyone else - until now. I fear congestion pricing will just turn Manhattan into a black SUV paradise.
I see your fears, but I’d offer some counterpoints:
- The money from the congestion pricing will go to fund public transportation, improving the situation for the majority of workers who use that mode of transportation
- Fewer cars do not only benefit the remaining drivers, but everyone else on account of improved air quality/reduced sound pollution/safety from less vehicles on the road to hit them
See the following video on how successful congestion pricing has been in Stockholm: https://youtu.be/yvPowPkFrhg
The money from the congestion pricing
It’s still a regressive tax, no different than charging everyone $1000 each “just because” and claiming it’s good because it will benefit them back.
will go to fund public transportation
Don’t keep your hopes up, it will end up in the general fund like everything else. Any portion that they manage to use to fund transportation directly will just offset existing transportation spending, same as how tipping in the delivery apps just decreases the base pay for the driver.
Fewer cars
I wish! But if the intent was in good faith, then instead of a flat fee they would have used an income percentage fee - not even progressive necessarily, but at the very least non-regressive: something like 2% annual income for an annual entry pass. And make sure that the primary occupant of the car is the one paying the fee, and not the 50k/year limo driver. The roadspace is meant for the equal use of everyone, not just the rich. To say “if you are too poor/can’t afford it, you don’t get to drive here” is un-American. If you want less traffic, just keep raising the percentage fee until the level you need. Then it would affect everyone equally. But the way it’s being done now is just a powergrab by the rich.
Poorer people in urban areas, including New York, overwhelmingly don’t drive. It’s expensive. And that congestion that stops others from driving has an impact on everyone, it creates pollution (often affecting poorer people more), slows down buses and ambulances etc.
A tax that increases based on how big and black your SUV is would be great, as would exceptions for people who actually have a need to drive. Really the best thing they can do is put the money towards better transit options and actually start getting their moneys worth on transit projects.
In the words of CityNerd, everything is a regressive tax. Why does a head of lettuce cost the same for a poor person as it does for a rich person? Of course his take is more nuanced, I highly recommend you watch his excellent video for a different perspective:
I wish it would come to all roads in the country, incentivzing other modes of transit everywhere
Proposals range from charging vehicles $9 to $23 during peak hours.
Goddamn, NY isn’t fucking around! LOL
