In a landmark move to reduce traffic and pollution, New York City has approved a congestion pricing scheme that will charge private vehicles up to $15 to enter downtown Manhattan during peak hours. The policy will begin in June and is expected to generate $1 billion annually for public transportation.
Officials hope the move will ease gridlock, cut carbon emissions, and fund upgrades to the city’s aging subway system. Critics argue the pricing may hurt low-income workers commuting by car, but exemptions for emergency vehicles and discounts for residents are being considered.
Urban planners in South Asian cities like Dhaka, Kathmandu, and Delhi are studying NYC’s plan as a potential solution to worsening traffic congestion in their own capitals.
