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Sure, introduce a Pigovian tax then enhance public transit / trains. But what will happen in practice is this money will go into general coffers, be squandered
by the_optimist 3y ago
Sure, introduce a Pigovian tax then enhance public transit / trains. But what will happen in practice is this money will go into general coffers, be squandered on graft, “consulting,” and intentionally non-viable pet projects, then we all are poorer.
- mikeyouse 3y agoYour certainty around "what will happen in practice" is completely misguided. The program is being run by the MTA and the tolls collected are sequestered for MTA capital projects and will be used solely to invest in public transit. The program you're decrying and the one you claim to support are identical. > Congestion pricing refers to the use of electronic tolling to charge vehicles for entering certain areas during peak commuting hours, ideally resulting in reduced traffic congestion and increased revenue for transit-oriented projects. > Revenue generated from the program will be bonded against and placed in a designated MTA “lockbox” to fund capital improvements to the city’s ailing mass transit system. > The program is expected to generate $1 billion annually, which will be used to secure $15 billion in bonds for repairs and improvements to the public transportation system. > The electronic tolling system will operate similarly to the cashless tolling system on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, where overhead sensors read drivers’ E-ZPass tags and administer the fee directly to their account.
- supertrope 3y agoThe explicit purpose of the congestion charge is to fund transit. I do share your skepticism as NY/NJ leaders have previously laundered tolls into the general budget making them a de facto tax.