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Congestion Pricing in Manhattan Close to Approval

nytimes.com

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Re: Congestion Pricing in Manhattan Close to Approval

#4

I'm indifferent and glad I don't live there but why not just charge what it should cost to use Public Transportation/Subways? Why look for ways to subsidize it by taxing everything else but the people who use it?

It suffers from systemic issues. This is a fiscal patch over a corrupt system. The feds should go in there and clean it up, kick out all the unnecessary fat and install an efficient management anc restructure all their deals with everyone who abuses the system to line their pockets.

Re: Congestion Pricing in Manhattan Close to Approval

#5

I'm indifferent and glad I don't live there but why not just charge what it should cost to use Public Transportation/Subways? Why look for ways to subsidize it by taxing everything else but the people who use it?

Generally you want to tax things you want less of and subsidize what you want more of. Hence taxing car traffic and subsidizing transit.

Re: Congestion Pricing in Manhattan Close to Approval

#6

I'm indifferent and glad I don't live there but why not just charge what it should cost to use Public Transportation/Subways? Why look for ways to subsidize it by taxing everything else but the people who use it?

Isn't congestion pricing taxing people who use the roads? An Uber driver uses the roads a lot more than your average New Yorker, what taxes exist to cover that imbalance? (asking in earnest)

Earmarking tax dollars for projects is kind of meaningless.

Subsidizing public transportation is a good idea anyway. High costs of transportation disproportionately hurt poorer people. If you're not for public transportation then I'm not sure we'd see eye to eye on much of anything.

Re: Congestion Pricing in Manhattan Close to Approval

#8

Why not charge tourists a special subway rate (++) and finance the repairs that way, instead of creating 'exclu$ive zones' of movement.

The point of congestion pricing is to reduce car traffic, air pollution illnesses/deaths, pedestrian injuries/deaths, etc. The fact that it can also pay for the subways is just an ancillary benefit.

Re: Congestion Pricing in Manhattan Close to Approval

#9

I'm indifferent and glad I don't live there but why not just charge what it should cost to use Public Transportation/Subways? Why look for ways to subsidize it by taxing everything else but the people who use it?

The primary purpose of the congestion tax is to dissuade people from driving into the busiest part of the city.

The transportation funding earmark is just sugar to help get it passed.

Re: Congestion Pricing in Manhattan Close to Approval

#10

Why not charge tourists a special subway rate (++) and finance the repairs that way, instead of creating 'exclu$ive zones' of movement.

Because that won't achieve the goal of easing congestion in downtown Manhattan by reducing the number of vehicles entering it.
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