Summary
New York City has become the first U.S. city to implement a congestion charge, with car drivers paying up to $9 daily to enter areas south of Central Park.
The scheme aims to reduce traffic and fund public transport but has faced opposition, including from Donald Trump, who has vowed to overturn it.
Fees vary by vehicle type, with trucks and buses paying higher rates.
Despite legal challenges, the initiative moves forward as New York remains the world’s most congested urban area, with peak traffic speeds averaging just 11 mph.
People can get used to anything. I think it’s also likely that the Democratic party will not put forth any serious candidates who oppose congestion pricing, most people aren’t going to be single-issue voters about it, and even if someone who opposes it gets elected then he’ll still have a hard time getting rid of it for all the reasons why it’s always hard to lower taxes. Trump might manage to kill it, but if he doesn’t then I wouldn’t bet on it ending even if it does cost Hochul the election.
(But I wouldn’t want to bet $500 million on it not ending either.)