New York has officially launched the first congestion charge scheme for vehicles in the United States.
Car drivers incur charges of up to $9 (£7) per day, while other vehicles will face differing rates.
The congestion zone encompasses a region south of Central Park, including notable landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Times Square, and the financial district surrounding Wall Street.
The initiative seeks to alleviate New York’s infamous traffic congestion while generating billions for the public transportation system. However, it has encountered opposition, notably from prominent New Yorker and President-elect Donald Trump.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul initially advocated for a congestion charge two years ago. However, due to feedback from commuters and businesses, the proposal faced delays and revisions.
The newly proposed plan brings back a previously halted initiative from June when she cited “too many unintended consequences for New Yorkers” as the reason for its suspension.
Drivers will face a daily fee of $9 for entering the congestion zone during peak hours, while a reduced charge of $2.25 will apply during off-peak times.
During peak hours, small trucks and non-commuter buses will incur a fee of $14.40 to enter Manhattan, whereas larger trucks and tourist buses will face a higher charge of $21.60.
The charge has faced significant backlash, particularly from associations representing taxi drivers.
However, the most prominent opposition has emerged from Trump, a native New Yorker who has pledged to dismantle the initiative upon his anticipated return to office this month.
Local Republican officials have formally requested his intervention.
In November, Congressman Mike Lawler, representing a suburban district just north of New York City, urged Trump to pledge to “end this absurd congestion pricing cash grab once and for all.”
On Friday, a judge rejected a last-minute attempt by officials from neighbouring New Jersey to halt the proposed scheme, citing concerns over its environmental effects on surrounding regions.
According to INRIX, a traffic-data analysis firm, New York City has once again earned the title of the world’s most-congested urban area, marking the second consecutive year for this distinction.
A report indicates that during peak morning hours in the first quarter of last year, vehicles in downtown Manhattan travelled at an average speed of 11 mph (17 km/h).
