A $15 toll to drive into part of Manhattan has been approved. That’s a first for US cities

By CEDAR ATTANASIO
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — New York is on track to become the first U.S. city with congestion tolls on drivers entering its central business district. Transit authorities approved the pricing plan Wednesday, authorizing a $15 toll for most motorists entering a zone that’s south of Manhattan’s Central Park during the day. Supporters of the tolls say it will push more people to use public transport and reduce congestion to speed up public buses and emergency vehicles. It’s expected to raise $1 billion per year to fund improvements in public subway and bus systems. The state Legislature approved the tolls in 2019, but the pandemic and lack of federal regulation stalled the project.