New York City attracts over 60 million tourists a year for its famous Broadway shows, amazing restaurants, and historic landmarks. However, these attractions are becoming more and more difficult to see without spending a large amount of money just to get into the city. This is due to the congestion prices that have been increased to raise money to enhance the public transportation of the city. However, after only a few weeks of this price change, there is little to no change in the overall traffic of the city.
Reports have stated that New York City traffic is the most congested it has ever been. To combat this prominent issue, congestion prices have risen to $9.00 a day for cars crossing into the lower half of Manhattan. The toll is even higher for larger trucks (CBS News). This new toll is targeted to reduce about 80,000 of the city’s cars and collect billions of dollars for the city’s desired need for transit updates (ABC News). With the increased pricing, the MTA will raise about $500 to $800 million dollars, which will be used towards bettering the public transit system (CBS News).
Although these higher prices were set to help the city, commuters from out of state or even just outside of the city are anything but happy about it. New Jersey commuters already pay $15 for bridge and tunnel tolls, making a daily trip to the city just to get in to work over $20 (CBS News). Locals say that the congestion will never decrease. A local taxi driver, John McDonagh states, “With the street designs of New York now, we have a bus lane on one side, we got a bike lane on the other, concrete barriers. So, 10 cars gives you congestion” (CBS News). Is it really worth it to spend all of this extra money for a city that will be congested no matter what? Most commuters would disagree.
Officials are actively trying to convince more people to avoid the tolls and take public transit. However, recent reports of high-profile crime, including a woman burned alive, and riders being pushed onto the tracks, make people uneasy of transitioning to public transportation, especially the subway (CBS News). Commuters can only hope that the increased pricing for congestion will ultimately make the public transportation options safer. But for now, they’ll be paying higher and higher tolls to still be stuck in traffic on their way home from work.
The students and teachers here at Ramapo share their thoughts on this matter; Ms. Schwartz, a teacher at Ramapo states, “I‘ve been told that traffic at the George Washington Bridge has been lighter, to everyone’s surprise. However, it is the dead of winter, and that could be a factor. I’m concerned about small businesses in the congestion zone who will have to raise prices due to delivery fees etc.” Junior Lana Jepsen states, “Although I do not live in New York City and I’m not personally affected by these prices, I can’t imagine the inconveniences these commuters have to experience every day.”
New Yorkers can only hope for peace when it comes to commuting. Whether that be safer public transit, or reasonable congestion pricing at tolls, change needs to be made to ensure the well-being of travelers.
