THE WAKEFIELD SECTION, CHRIS
JOSE, NEWS 4 NEW YORK.
>> CHRIS, THANK YOU. >>> NOW, TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO
THE LATEST COST OF LIVING
INCREASE FOR PEOPLE LIVING AND
WORKING IN THE CITY.
>> TALK ABOUT THE HOT-BUTTON
ISSUE, CONGESTION PRICING.
TODAY, A BOARD RECOMMENDED A $15
TOLL FOR CARS THAT ENTER MANHATTAN AT 60th AND SOUTH.
THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS.
>> MELISSA COLORADO IS LIVE WITH
DETAILS FOR US.
>> Reporter: AFTER MONTHS OF
SPECULATION, HOW MUCH IS THE
TOLL GOING TO BE?
WHO WON’T HAVE TO PAY?
WE’RE GETTING A CLEARER PICTURE
OF THIS CONGESTION PRICING PLAN.
AND WE’RE ALSO LEARNING THAT
GROUPS WHO THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE
EXEMPT, WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE ZONE,
PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS IN THE AREA AND
PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES, WE’RE LEARNING THEY, TOO, WILL HAVE TO
PAY THE TOLL.
FROM THE UPPER WEST SIDE DAD.
TO THIS HOTEL DOOR MAN. >> I DON’T THINK IT’S FAIR TO
THOSE THAT WORK IN THE CITY.
>> Reporter: NEW YORKERS ARE
FACING THE REALITY THAT THE
COUNTRY’S FIRST CONGESTION
PRICING PROGRAM IS FINALLY
TAKING SHAPE.
BY NEXT SPRING, THE AVERAGE
DRIVER MAY HAVE TO PAY A $15
TOLL FOR DRIVING ON OR BELOW
60th STREET.
>> WE REALLY MADE AN EFFORT TO
KEEP THE BASE TOLL AS LOW AS WE
POSSIBLY COULD.
>> Reporter: THE BOARD IN CHARGE
OF COMING UP WITH NEW YORK’S
CONGESTION PRICING PLAN REVEALED THE TOLL PRICING STRUCTURE,
MEANT TO DISCOURAGE DRIVERS,
IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND COLLECT
$1 BILLION EACH YEAR FOR THE MTA.
CUSTOMERS HAILING TAXIS OR HOPPING INTO A RIDE SHARE WILL
HAVE TO COVER THE TOLL CHARGE.
THAT’S $1.25 FOR TAXI CUSTOMERS.
$2.50 FOR APP-BASED RIDES. BOX TRUCKS HAVE TO PAY $24.
LARGER TRUCKS MUST FORK OVER 6
BUCK
36 BUCKS.
>> ABSENT THIS, WE’LL BE CHOKING
IN OUR OWN TRAFFIC.
>> IT WILL AFFECT MY POCKET.
THAT WILL BE TOUGH.
>> Reporter: THIS DOORMAN DRIVES
INTO THE CITY FOR HIS NIGHT
SHIFT.
HE’S NOT SURE IF THAT WILL MAKE
THE SUBWAYS SAFER.
>> I DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE TAKING THE TRAIN.
I PREFER TO DRIVE.
>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY DRIVERS
BRACING THEMSELVES FOR A MORE
COSTLY COMMUTE, ON TOP OF TOLLS
THEY PAY TO CROSS THE HUDSON.
PHIL MURPHY IS OUTRAGED.
IT’S RIPPING OFF NEW JERSEY
COMMUTERS TO PAY FOR WHATEVER
FINANCIAL FAILINGS THE MTA HAS. WE’RE CONSIDERING ALL OPTIONS
INCLUDING FURTHER LEGAL ACTION.
>> Reporter: THE BOARD IS
RECOMMENDING A $5 DISCOUNT FOR
ANYBODY THAT USES THE TUNNELS TO
GET INTO THE CITY.
BUT NO CREDIT FOR DRIVERS THAT
USE THE GEORGE WASHINGTON
BRIDGE.
>> IT’S A LITTLE OUTRAGEOUS, TO
VA
SAY THE LEAST.
ESPECIALLY FOR SOMEONE THAT
COMMUTES TWO OR THREE TIMES A
WEEK. FOR THE COST OF LIVING GOING UP,
WAGES NOT RAISING, IT’S
OUTRAGEOUS.
>> Reporter: THESE ARE THE
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE BOARD.
NOTHING IS SET IN STONE YET. BUT THE BOARD PROJECTS THERE
WILL BE A 17% DROP, FEWER CARS
IN THE CITY, IF THIS CONGESTION
PRICING PLAN GOES INTO EFFECT.
THAT’S 153,000 FEWER CARS ON