Bloomberg likes Fattah idea

It's the idea that Chaka Fattah's not supposed to talk about anymore: the Center City congestion charge.

Before there was controversy over Fattah's idea to lease the airport, there was controversy over his idea to study putting a congestion charge in place for cars entering downtown.

Fattah doesn't talk about that idea much anymore. He said at his environmental announcement that his campaign told him to shut up about it. The voters weren't too keen on the idea, you see. Pay to drive downtown? Fuggedaboutit.

Now, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing the same thing in NYC. From Newsday:

Trucks would pay $21 and cars would pay $8 to enter Manhattan below 86th Street on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The major thruways along Manhattan's east and west sides would still be free. Also, commuters who already pay a toll to come into Manhattan via tolls and tunnels would pay the price of the new fee minus that previous toll.

Comments

[dude]

The difference here is that it might actually work in NYC since they have a viable public transit system as an alternative to driving. Philly's transit system is better than most but, unless you live in a handful of neighborhoods in or surrounding Center City, it's extremely hard to get by without a car.

[Jill]

The last thing this City needs is another fee or tax. We need to make Philly a more welcoming place to live. Somehow, I don't think charging people an entrance fee will achieve that.

[Jack]

For once, I'll agree with "dude."

[Joseph M.]

I disagree. We have to think of the long term here, people. A Congestion Tax would steadily increase indepedent funding for and development of SEPTA so that, someday (gasp!), we might actually have a viable public transportation system.

[Jack]

Long term thinking is important, I'll grant you, but I don't think a Congestion Tax is the way to go for Philadelphia. Furthermore, increasing SEPTA funding is a multi-government process -- I'd like to see the stable, increased revenue commitment from all levels of government before we penalize Center City drivers with yet another tax.

I'll admit, Joseph, that we do need to think outside the box, change public transportation, and reduce our dependence on vehicular traffic. I just don't think we're ready for a congestion tax. Nor will we be in eight years' time.

[dude]

Or our representatives in Washington and Harrisburg could just allocate some money for public transit in their budget priorities... just a thought.