Congestion Pricing in New York City - Term Paper Example

Next, Congestion pricing was introduced in London in 2003 with a charge of $13 for cars entering central London. Since its introduction, traffic delays have been reduced by 26%, bus service has becomes much faster and more reliable, and many more people have taken to bicycling instead of using their cars to access central London. Further, pollutants in the air have dropped dramatically too and Co2 levels have been reduced by 15% (Transport Alternatives). Stockholm conducted a trial of congestion pricing in 2006 for 6 months and found a 20% reduction in traffic, and a 10% drop in air pollution.

Following this, it was made effective in 2007 in Stockholm. Since then, Stockholm has seen a 4.5% increase in public transport ridership, an 18% reduction in traffic, 50% decrease in waiting time to enter the city, and 14-18% drop in carbon emissions (Peach). In Trondheim, Norway, the congestion pricing has helped reduce traffic congestion by nearly 10% (Zupan and Perrotta). There are several goals that introducing congestion pricing brings to the cities. . The charges would be applicable from 6 AM to 6PM.

The charges varied from $8 for cars to $21 for trucks. The charge was payable only once per day. Certain categories of vehicles were exempt from these charges. These vehicles were transit buses, emergency vehicles, taxis, and vehicles with handicapped license plates. However, for taxis that begin, end or touch the zone a surcharge of $1 would be applicable. For payment, the drivers would have an option of paying either through an “E-ZPass” which was an electronic transponder, or through an account linked to the E-ZPass recognizable through license plate recognition systems.

For people without E-ZPass, the payment could be made within 48 hours at certain specified retail outlets/via internet or phone. In comparison to congestion pricing in other countries, the amount proposed was lower ($8 for NY compared to $13 in London for example). Further, the table below shows the comparison of several other important factors in the proposed congestion pricing in New York with the implemented congestion pricing in London. Table 1: Comparison of London and New York Congestion pricing   London (Before Implementation) New York Proposal Size of zone 8 sq miles 8,5 sq miles Area of zone as percentage of region 1,3% of greater London 0,1% of tri-state region Number of Vehicles Entry Points 174 19 People Entering Zone Each Morning >1 million 1,7 million People Entering Zone by public transport 85% 78% Vehicles Entering Zone Each Day 7 AM to 6:30 PM 315,000 500,000 Vehicles Per Hour During Four Hour Morning Peak Period 40,000 53,000 Residents in Zone 83,000 500,000 Routing around the zone Ring road available to avoid the zone Options limited for most trips Source: Zupan and Perrotta, 2003 The proposal