New York Congestion Charge Begins... 13,000 Won Required to Enter Downtown

Congestion Charge Imposed on Vehicles Entering Manhattan Downtown
Passenger Cars Charged 13,000 KRW, 3,300 KRW at Night
Over 10 Related Lawsuits... Sustainability Uncertain

Vehicles entering the downtown area of Manhattan in New York City, USA, must pay a congestion charge. According to the Associated Press on the 5th (local time), the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launched a program at midnight on that day to impose a maximum fee of $9 (about 13,000 won) on vehicles entering the downtown area south of 60th Street in Manhattan.

The toll varies depending on the type of vehicle and the time of entry. For a standard passenger car, the congestion charge is $9 during peak hours and $2.25 (about 3,300 won) during nighttime hours. This fee is in addition to the tolls drivers pay when crossing multiple bridges and tunnels to reach Manhattan. However, the congestion charge is partially discounted when entering paid tunnels connected to downtown Manhattan.

This is the first time congestion charges have been imposed in the United States. New York City expects the congestion charge to reduce vehicle traffic in the downtown area and help alleviate the MTA's financial difficulties. Based on the revenue from the congestion charge, the MTA plans to issue bonds to raise $15 billion (about 22 trillion won) and use the funds to repair aging subway lines and expand the public transportation system.

Janno River, MTA Director, emphasized, "The goal is to relieve traffic congestion and prevent situations where public transportation or emergency responders are stuck on the roads," adding, "It is horrifying to think of a loved one trapped in an ambulance."

New York City had planned to start collecting congestion charges in June last year, but Governor Kathy Hochul of New York State postponed the implementation due to concerns about the burden on low-income residents. However, Governor Hochul resumed the initiative shortly after the presidential election, lowering the toll from the originally planned $15 (about 22,000 won) to $9.

However, questions have been raised about the sustainability of the congestion charge. According to The New York Times (NYT), there are at least 10 individual lawsuits filed to block New York City's congestion charge. President-elect Trump also expressed his intention to abolish the congestion charge after taking office.