NYC’s failure to implement congestion pricing is gift to LA
Since the New York State Legislature failed to approve congestion pricing in Manhattan, the US Dept. of Transportation has offered the federal funds that were slated for New York to Los Angeles. In order to receive these funds, Los Angeles will be required to implement congestion pricing on short stretches of Interstate 10, 210, and possibly the 110. This will not be the first time congestion pricing is incorporated into the Interstate Highway system, but it will be the most visible.
The $213 million being offered would be used to convert carpool lanes into congestion pricing toll lanes. The HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes would become HOT (high occupancy toll) lanes.
We are in favor of trying out this partial solution to Los Angeles’ traffic woes. The way we manage society is always a balancing act, and every citizen will not always be happy with the ultimate solution. Congestion pricing critics argue that driving on the roads should be an egalitarian experience and that the rich shouldn’t be able to go faster just because they have more money. However, as long as the funds raised from congestion pricing go towards improving public transportation, the pricing system actually does benefit the poor, as they usually rely on public transit more than the rich.
Our only complaint is that the funds are slated to go towards the purchase of about 60 buses that will use the new toll lanes. Given the dire need for expansion of public rail in LA, and its constant budget shortfalls, we would prefer to see at least some of the congestion pricing funds go towards rail development.
- Similar Posts:
- NYC congestion pricing one step closer.
- What Los Angeles can learn from Vancouver.
- NYC congestion pricing DOA.
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