Activity 4.2.1 - Applying My Environmental Policy Frameworks

 Problem Statement

New York city is home to some of the most congested highways located in America. As a city central to the nations' economy, New York attracts many people who commute daily for work, and simply leisure. Unfortunately, the city lacks the funds to renovate the roads and expand them leading to intense congestion throughout the city. The goal of a congestion charge in NYC is to charge a fee to all motor vehicle entering the city's central business district. New Yorks's public transit and subway is one of the most immense in the world, public transportation is one of the main methods of transportation around the world. The mayor of NYC Micheal Bloomberg has sought out a plan to of transit -based initiatives through his plan, PlaNYC 2030. His proposal for congestion pricing has faced political and financial hurdles at both the state and financial levels. Congestion pricing remains a key solution for Manhattans' traffic woes, and hopefully soon be reintroduced to the city. 

Identity Frame

What is congestion pricing? Congestion pricing is the use of electronic tolling to charge vehicles for entering specific areas during peak traffic hours. The main goal is to reduce traffic and increase revenue for transit projects. On April 1,2019 the MTA's Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) has been authorized to establish the Central District Business Tolling Program which is also known as the (CBDTP), which will charge travelers a fee for driving into Manhattan's main Central Business District, defined as any area south of 61st street. The initial revenue generated from the program will be placed in a "lock box" to fund the improvements into the major transit system. Unfortunately, the project is on hold currently for the Nations first ever congestion pricing. The federal government is taking longer then the MTA expected. The latest pushback of renovation has pushed it to the second quarter of 2024, which is very far past the initial start date of January 2021. The program is expected to generate $1 billion annually, which will be used to secure $15 billion in bonds for repairs and improvements to the public transportation system. 

Fact Finding Frames 

What do we know about NYC congestion pricing? To start the implementation of the nation's first congestion pricing plan has been pushed back several months due to MTA officials stated will cost the agency roughly $250 million in expected revenue. The latest delay comes as the MTA released the environmental assessment for New York City's proposed congestion pricing program, giving drivers a more detailed look at how much they could be charged to drive into Manhattan's Central Business District which is known as (CBD). Congestion pricing refers to the use of electronic tolling to charge vehicles for entering certain areas during peak commuting hours. The very fist ever proposed plan for congestion pricing was in the year 2007, this was eventually approved and included in the 2019 New York State Budget. 

Social Control Frames

Within the economy several supporters feel that the revenue is very crucial to make sure the future of NYC transit is safe and efficient throughout the city. Basically for anyone from cab drivers to contractors who drive throughout Manhattan for a living the reach remains the same. Congestion pricing is bad for the business they state. The main purpose is to have more commuters on the road, while the system raises huge amounts of money to maintain and upgrade the system. 

Power Frames

Some of the disputes surrounding congestion pricing is the increased in costs. Congestion pricing is designed to improve the quality of transportation within Manhattan without tax increases or large capital costs. However we do have some of the population opposed to this idea because they are either against another tax, believe it hurts smaller communities such as lower- income families. The main goal is to ease traffic within the city however it damages some of the lower income families by increasing the cost of transit. 

Risk Frames 

The main highlighted benefits of congestion pricing is it will improve the quality of transportation services without tax increases or large capital expenditures, by providing additional revenues for funding transportation. The most obvious benefit of congestion pricing is that it controls congestion on the roads, thereby reducing stress and delays. However there are some cons surrounding this plan from several members of society due to the increase in cost they feel that it may cause hardship to several members of the low income families. 

References 

Cohen, S., Wannemacher, J., & Weisbecker, P. (2014). Understanding environmental policy (2nd ed.). New York: Columbia University Press.

tbascome@siadvance.com, E.B.| (2023) NYC congestion pricing: Here’s what we know amid the controversial program’s latest delay, silive. Available at: https://www.silive.com/news/2023/03/nyc-congestion-pricing-heres-what-we-know-amid-the-controversial-programs-latest-delay.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20Central%20Business%20District%20(CBD,communities%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20alert%20said. (Accessed: 08 May 2023).

Joe Borelli | February 27, 2023 (no date) NYC congestion pricing pushed back to 2024, costing $250m in revenue, MTA says, Joseph Borelli. Available at: https://council.nyc.gov/joseph-borelli/2023/02/27/nyc-congestion-pricing-pushed-back-to-2024-costing-250m-in-revenue-mta-says/ (Accessed: 08 May 2023).

Public sounds off on NYC congestion pricing plans at hearing (2022) ABC7 New York. Available at: https://abc7ny.com/nyc-congestion-pricing-traffic-commuting-new-york-city-driving/12164476/ (Accessed: 08 May 2023).