London's soaring ‘congestion' fees are a fresh warning for NYC
As Gov. Kathy Hochul and other New York politicians gloat over court rulings that protect their 'congestion pricing' fees, ponder this: London's 'congestion' levy is about to jump to nearly $25, up from $20.
That is: A toll set at £5 back in 2003 had tripled to £15 by 2020 will now jump to £18 at year's end.
Transport for London, the MTA-equivalent agency that sets the fees, also means to phase out discounts for people who live in the 'congestion zone' and for electric vehicles.
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In addition, London charges older, higher-emissions vehicles an £12.50 fee to travel inside the 'Ultra Low Emission Zone,' which covers the entire city, so some motorists get hit with $40 a day in fees.
Naturally, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and other congestion-pricing fans are eager to impose 'Low Emission Zones' here in NYC.
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The capper: Despite imposing these fees for over two decades now, London still has still won 'the most congested roads in all of Europe' prize each of the last four years.
And the only way to stop New York pols from nonetheless lecturing you about how it's all for your own good is to vote them out of office.
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