Jun 11, 2007 6:58 pm US/Eastern
Congestion-Pricing Proponents Go On The Defensive
Sources: Area To Be Charged May Be Altered In Deal
by Marcia Kramer
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Mayor Michael Bloomberg participated in two "green" events on Monday, but one of his biggest lifts in fighting global warming remains getting the legislature to approve his congestion-pricing proposal.
Proponents say it will make the commute a whole lot faster.
"The people in New York City who come into the central business district to work have the longest commute in America," said Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for NYC.
That commute is an average of -- drum roll please -- 65 minutes, and would be cut is the mayor's congestion pricing plan goes into effect.
The plan would:
*Take 125,000 cars off the street every day.
*Increase the average speed in Manhattan by 18 percent from 10 miles per hour to nearly 12 on the FDR and West Side Highway
*Reduce the average intra city commute by 11 minutes each way
"It's a big change for people who drive," Wylde said. "That translates into 22 minutes a day to spend with their kids, with their family on homework."
How will the congestion-pricing plan work?
Sensors that look very much like red light cameras will be mounted on light posts. Drivers with EZ pass -- about 70 percent of commuters -- will be billed directly. Cameras will snap the license plates of everyone else and they will get bills in the mail.
"It costs about $200 million, it's estimated, to install," Wylde said.
Commuter reaction to being able to drive faster and spend less time in their cars is still mixed.
"In the city of New York, I highly doubt making more money will make us get anywhere faster," one person said.
Added another: "If I could travel faster, it would be worth it."
Although right now the congestion fee is scheduled to be charged from 86th Street south, sources told CBS 2 HD it could be moved to 60th Street -- 26 blocks -- during negotiation with the State Legislature.
One of Mayor Bloomberg's biggest chores is convincing the State Assembly to buy into the plan. The assembly will have another hearing on the proposal on Friday.
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