Coming Real Soon: $8 To Enter Manhattan By Car

[Herman Munster]

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_110131425.html

(CBS) NEW YORK A controversial new plan is about to be implemented to improve the quality of life in New York City.

This weekend Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to introduce an $8 congestion fee for drivers who enter Manhattan below 86th Street.

On the city's traffic-clogged arteries Friday, Bloomberg was not a popular guy.

"Next thing he's gonna charge us to cross the street," one driver said.

Complaints like those echoed among drivers who'd heard that the mayor is about to propose tolls for vehicles entering Midtown Manhattan.

A mayoral panel has proposed charging motorists to enter Manhattan below 86th Street from 6 am to 6 p.m.

[whistle]

1. $8.00 by tunnel or bridge, eh...when I last drove into Manhatten

...back in the mid-1980s I seem to recall paying $2.50 or $2.75 one way to pass through the tunnel. I'm sure those tolls have gone up. Now will that be a fee on top of tolls?

[deadmessengers]

10. There are free crossings

The Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, and Queensborough bridges are all free, as are all the crossings from the Bronx except the Triborough.

[Initech]

2. Oh god, if Villareigosa (sp?) tried that in LA, all hell would break loose.

And I don't just mean figuratively. Literally.

[Retrograde]

6. Only $5 to go to San Francisco

If you're coming via the Golden Gate Bridge. Bay Bridge is only $4.

Good. Manhattan's a city for people, not cars.

[enid602]

16. Villaraigosa

He'd do well to concentrate on expanding the acqua and purple lines to the Westside. More bang for the buck.

[DemoTex]

3. 1 in 5 Americans live on less than $7/day ... just to put this in perspective.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x716548

[aquart]

4. So my mother has to pay to visit me?

Does ANY artery enter Manhattan from Queens ABOVE 86th?

She's 85. She doesn't like to drive after dark.

Nice of him to clear the streets for the limos.

[deadmessengers]

9. Yes

The Triborough crosses in Harlem, somewhere around 131st street. Oh, and if you can afford to live in Manhattan, you can spring for the 8 bucks to have your 85-year-old mom come to visit you.

[Suich]

5. They already do that in London.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0220/p01s03-woeu.html

[yellowcanine]

7. Yep. It is likely the future for all big cities. And why not? Cars pollute and take up space on

the streets which could accomodate a lot more people in buses or on bicycles.

[liberal N proud]

8. It only cost 10.25 to cross Ohio on I80

That is a 240 mile trip

[whistle]

11. An interstate highway has a toll in Ohio? I-80

[liberal N proud]

12. Ohio Turnpike

http://www.ohioturnpike.org/

[jumptheshadow]

13. Hallelujah

The proposal is for * midtown * Manhattan, where I work, which is choked by cars, trucks and pollution. It can sometimes take half an hour to go several blocks crosstown there in a vehicle. Add to this the "special" days, when politicians, diplomats or parades clog the lanes. As a subway straphanger for 30 years, I can't wait to see this happen.

[no_hypocrisy]

14. Guess the GW Bridge would be clogged (more) as folks would be charged more

for the Lincoln Tunnel and Holland Tunnel.

[THUNDER HANDS]

15. i think this is stupid, but why drive into manhattan anyway?

I wouldn't do it.