ATA hails rejection of congestion pricing

May 1, 2008
The American Trucking Associations applauds the New York State Legislature's rejection of New York City's proposal to charge drivers a fee to drive into

The American Trucking Associations applauds the New York State Legislature's rejection of New York City's proposal to charge drivers a fee to drive into parts of Manhattan during most daylight hours.

Under the plan introduced earlier this year, truck drivers would have paid $21 per weekday and auto drivers would have paid $8 per weekday to drive in Manhattan below 60th Street between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

ATA's concerns with the New York City plan included:

  • Truck drivers cannot change delivery times, which are set by the shipper and the receiver.

  • Workers entering the city cannot change their shift times.

  • The plan did not increase road capacity for use by all vehicles.

  • Charging an additional fee for trucks that have already paid for the highway with fuel taxes and other federal and state taxes is unfair.

  • Such plans usually increase congestion and parking problems in nearby areas.

  • Congestion pricing fees on trucks ultimately result in an increase in costs to businesses and consumers.