New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has reinstated a congestion pricing program in lower Manhattan, the New York Times reported. But Chinatown locals are worried the program will hurt their businesses.
The program — the first of its kind in the nation — requires most drivers to pay a $9 toll to enter a designated congested area, from 60th Street to the Battery Park Underpass, during peak hours. This designated congested area covers notable neighborhoods like Chinatown.
Though initially halted this past June, Hochul revived the program, lowering the tolls from $15, to relieve the city’s traffic and generate funding to improve the transit system.
“Nearly 90% of commuters to Manhattan’s central business district rely on public transit – and this congestion reduction plan will deliver $15 billion to ensure better, faster transit for millions of working New Yorkers…” said a spokesperson for Hochul, according to PIX11. “Our more affordable plan finally provides a meaningful solution for reducing gridlock and air pollution, improving emergency vehicle response times, and strengthening the transit system…”
But local businessowners in Chinatown have spoken out about how the congestion toll could threaten their community, including James Tang, whose family has owned restaurant Hwa Yuan since the 1960s.
Tang and other residents believe that New Yorkers and tourists will avoid traveling to Chinatown because of the congestion toll.
“A lot of folks come here from out of town, from all over the world. They don’t know how our subways work,” Tang told ABC7. “…They get dropped off at the gateway to Chinatown. And then they walk around this neighborhood on foot, exploring the mom and pops places, exploring the restaurants, venturing into Little Italy.”
But the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) claim most people who go downtown to areas like Chinatown use public transit and that traffic relief will be beneficial for pedestrians.
The MTA also claim that studies show traffic costs businesses more money.
Despite ongoing lawsuits to stop the program, none have been successful so far, PIX11 reported.
The congestion pricing is expected to begin after midnight on Sunday, Jan. 5.
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