Congestion tax

June 2, 2009 -- Policymakers need to address equity concerns early when implementing congestion pricing to improve traffic flow, as each situation is unique and must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, according to a study issued today by the RAND Corporation.

Transportation policymakers often look to congestion pricing — charging drivers more to travel particular routes at peak travel times — as a way to reduce traffic gridlock and raise money for transportation projects. However, because these policies impose a cost on something that previously was not priced, critics often suggest that it will harm lower-income drivers who will be forced to pay additional costs or be "priced off" the roads.    » read more »

April 6, 2008 -- The following is the text of New York City Mayor Bloomberg's weekly radio address as prepared for delivery on 1010 WINS News Radio for Sunday, April 6, 2008

"Good Morning. This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

"Last week, the City Council showed real leadership in voting for a policy that will help ensure the future our city and its transit system. I'm talking about congestion pricing. This week, our State Legislators will take up the matter.

New York City Mayor Bloomberg at 187th Greek Independence Day Parade: Photo by Kristen Artz    » read more »

March 31, 2008 -- The following are the New York City Mayor's remarks as delivered.

"Madam Speaker, thank you. You left one person off the list that deserves thanks and that is you because I think what is clear here is that Speaker Quinn's principled leadership throughout the Council's deliberations on congestion pricing shows this time, as it has in previous times, that she cares about the city and the interests of the city come first with her.

New York City Mayor Bloomberg Praises Passage Of Congestion Pricing Legislation: (Photo: Spencer T. Tucker)    » read more »

Congestion Pricing will Create Jobs and Improve Transit for 95% of Working New Yorkers Who Don't Drive to the Central Business District

March 31, 2008 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was joined today by Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Michael Fishman, President of SEIU Local 32BJ, Edward J. Malloy, President of the Buildings and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, and Edward Ott, Executive Director of the New York City Central Labor Council, to urge City and State lawmakers to enact congestion pricing legislation this week, so that New York City will qualify for $354 million in federal funds for immediate mass transit improvements.    » read more »

March 31, 2008 -- "We've taken another step towards implementing a congestion pricing plan that is equitable and won't be a burden on lower income New Yorkers and that will result in an immediate $354 million in federal funds for mass transit improvements.

New York City Mayor Bloomberg holds a press availability before riding No. 4 train to Yankee Stadium. March 31, 2008: (Photo: Spencer T Tucker)

The amendments that the Senate introduced last night to their bill will address many of the remaining concerns that we've been hearing from the City Council and members of the State Legislature. This legislation already made certain that all revenues from congestion pricing will go to the MTA Capital plan.    » read more »

March 31, 2008 -- "Last night, I amended my Governor’s Program Bill regarding the New York City Congestion Pricing Program, recommended by the Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission. The amendments to the bill address fiscal contributions by the Port Authority to the MTA capital plan and add an important tax credit provision for low-income drivers.    » read more »

March 28, 2008 -- "The Assembly's introduction of legislation that will allow us to implement congestion pricing is another important step in the process of putting in place our plan to reduce traffic, cut pollution and raise revenue for transit projects, not just in the City, but throughout our region.

With legislation now before both the Assembly and the Senate, we are closer than we've ever been to securing $354 million in federal funds for immediate use in transit improvements.

We look forward to working with the Assembly, the Senate, the Governor and the City Council to work out the unresolved issues that have been raised, including mitigating the impact on lower-income drivers and ensuring that commuters who use Port Authority crossings are doing their part."    » read more »

Speech At Crain’s Breakfast Forum

March 19, 2008 -- The following is the text of New York City Mayor Bloomberg's speech as prepared.

"Thank you, Kathy and good morning everyone. Secretary Peters: It's always a pleasure to welcome you to New York. Thanks for joining us.

New York City Mayor Bloomberg discusses congestion pricing at Crain’s Breakfast Forum with U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters    » read more »

March 17, 2008 -- The following is the text of Mayor Bloomberg's weekly radio address as prepared for delivery on 1010 WINS News Radio for Sunday, March 16, 2008

"Good Morning. This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

"State leaders are putting the turmoil of the past week behind them, and turning to the big issues they face. One of the biggest that needs their attention is the congestion pricing plan we've proposed for driving into the busiest parts of Manhattan during the busiest work week hours - a plan that would clean our air, green our environment, and upgrade our mass transit.    » read more »

Responses will inform the Traffic Mitigation Congestion Commission, and will help New York City become prepared to meet federal deadlines for implementation

August 27, 2007 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for firms or teams of firms with the ability to perform all or most of the services required to design, implement, operate and maintain a congestion pricing program for New York City.    » read more »

August 21, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer joined with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn today to announce appointments to the New York City Traffic Mitigation Congestion Commission established by the Governor and Legislature as part of the congestion pricing legislation.    » read more »

US DOT Awards $354.5 Million To Implement Congestion Pricing Plan Or Other Alternative Pricing Mechanism

August 14, 2007 -- Together with State and City leaders, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $354.5 million to New York to implement the Mayor’s congestion pricing program or an alternative plan achieving the same reductions in traffic congestion, within the same time frame, and also using a pricing system.    » read more »

Meeting Underscores July 16th Deadline as Bruno and Tedisco Express Albany Support

July 10, 2007 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno and Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, today met with Jeffrey Shane, the Undersecretary for Policy of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).    » read more »