Bloomberg Proposes Roadway Congestion Plan

Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York City, has proposed a plan to help solve roadway congestion in Manhattan. The idea alone is somewhat controversial, as it will cost people traveling in certain areas additional money out of their pockets.

Michael Bloomberg says that motorists driving into and through the business district in Manhattan below 86th Street would be charged. The amount of money charged is $8 every day, but the amount also varies depending other factors as well. For example, trucks traveling within the business zone would be only charged $5.50, but they would only be able to travel within the boundaries of the business district. Taxis, cabs, and emergency vehicles would all be exempt from the tax, as they are there as services to help everyday people.

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg had this to say about his roadway congestion plan:

"Taking care of the earth and preserving its resources is a responsibility we all share. And on this Earth Day, we will be making a major commitment that will have a big impact on our city's future." (Michael Bloomberg. Source: Newsday)

But will this commitment hurt the middle class people traveling to and within the bounds of the business district? $8 isn't that much, but it is definitly accumulative to those who drive into the business district day in and day out. If one person were to drive a normal vehicle into the business district, they would be charged $40 a week. Although most people will not go in every single weekday of the year, or the month for that matter, is is still a heavy contribution to be charged. That $8 could have been used for something personal, and that person did earn that money by working. Is it right to charge the middle class working man any money to merely go to work?

The way in which these charges would be collected would be via the E-Z Pass system, which about 70% of New Yorkers use. Collections would be taken from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and people using the tolls wouldn't be charged twice. Drivers driving on the edge of the island would not be charged either.