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• Jan 24, 2008 7:01 am US/Eastern
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  Congestion Pricing Hearings To Be Held Before Vote

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Congestion Pricing Hearings To Be Held Before Vote

NEW YORK (CBS) ― With decision day just a week away, drivers who live outside of Manhattan will have their final say on the proposed congestion pricing plans Thursday at half a dozen public hearings that will be held around the city.

The idea is simple enough: come up with a plan that would end congestion and fund mass transit in New York City, and several options under consideration.

1. Mayor Bloomberg's original plan that involves charging drivers coming into Manhattan below 86th St. between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. $8 for cars and $21 for trucks.
2. A modified version of that plan moves that boundary down to 60th St.
3. Restricting vehicle access to parts of Manhattan on certain days based on license plate numbers.
4. A taxi surcharge.
5. Higher metered parking rates.
6. Charging tolls on the 13 free bridges.

As expected, not everyone is happy about forking over money every time they hit the city.

"I'm definitely against it," said Elpidio Compress of Staten Island. "I think it's horrible," added Chad Holly.

Wayne Haynes of Brooklyn said he's completely against any sort of tolls. "We're taxed enough," said Haynes. "I don't see why we should be taxed more."

But just last week, the transit workers union and other MTA union members came forward, backing the city's congestion pricing plan - calling it a vital move.

"In order to ease traffic congestion, reduce our carbon footprint and improve the region's economy, congestion pricing is a vital component to meeting those goals," said TWU President Roger Toussaint.

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