Bloomberg's Congestion Pricing Plan: There Is An Easier Way

Traffic is a nightmare in Manhattan, but congestion has been a problem in the Outer Boroughs as well. The streets of Brooklyn have become so impassable that simply driving from Carroll Gardens to Brooklyn Heights takes longer than just walking. So yes, we need to find a solution. It makes sense to encourage people to take public transportation. However, I don't think that Mayor Bloomberg's idea of charging people is fair to New York City residents.
Under Bloomberg's plan, cars entering Manhattan below 86th Street between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays would be charged $8. The problem is that this plan treats New York City residents the same as non-residents. It especially puts an unfair burden on Outer-Borough folks. As a Brooklynite, I feel a bit offended that I pay city taxes but am going to be charged the same as if I lived in New Jersey. According to an article in the Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens Courier, I am not the only one who dislikes the idea.
I think I may have a better plan... a fairer plan for New Yorkers. If I were Mayor of this city, I would issue a special New York City license plate or sticker. This would accomplish several things:
1) Free passage on the proposed bridges to and from Manhattan for NYC residents
2) Monitor and discourage non-city residents from using our communities as commuter parking lots.
3) Will make it easier to introduce residential parking in certain neighborhoods
4) Discourage New Yorkers from registering and insuring their cars outside of New York City.


Any plan to relieve traffic in our city is better than doing nothing. However, my family and I already take the subway when we go into Manhattan. The few times we take the car, we should not be treated the same as out-of-towners.


Congestion pricing causes Brooklyn schism
By Stephen Witt From The Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens Courier

The Downtown Brooklyn Council and City Councilmember David Yassky last week endorsed Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan.
But elected officials on the other end of the borough continue to give the controversial plan a thumbs-down.
Under Bloomberg’s plan, residents of the outer boroughs would have to pay a fee to drive in some sections of Manhattan during restricted hours.
Initial polls have indicated strong opposition to the plan among Brooklyn residents.

Congestion Pricing Causes Brooklyn Schism