De Blasio Joins Cuomo Backing Congestion Pricing to Help MTA
- City would begin collecting electronic tolls by 2020
- Cash-strapped agency has been seeking new revenue sources
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New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio agreed to support Governor Andrew Cuomo’s push for congestion pricing in midtown Manhattan as part of a sweeping overhaul of the cash-strapped Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which manages the subway and bus system.
Under the , to be instituted by 2020, electronic-tolling devices would be installed around Manhattan’s central business core south of 61st Street. It would take into account motorists who already paid bridge and tunnel tolls, and exclude the FDR Drive running north and south along the east side. Tolls would be variable, providing discounts for off-peak travel, and will also exempt emergency vehicles and transportation of disabled passengers.