My impressions on the first two days of Congestion Pricing in NYC

[martybegan]

So my commute doesn't take me to the congestion zone, but I do drive towards it or at least the access points for it part of the way.

First thing I noticed was a lack of trucks compared to a normal Monday/Tuesday morning.

Commute was easier in both directions Monday, morning Tuesday, still waiting for the drive home today.

What I havent heard is anything about increases in mass transit use yet, so not sure if more people are using it, more people are working from home, or it's the lower truck volume impacting the traffic conditions.

Two other outside impacts could be the weather making people work from home, and the fact NYC has a Noro virus, the flu, COVID, the a bunch of old fashioned bad colds going around keeping people home in higher numbers than usual.

Should be getting more data as the week progresses.

 

[Oddball]

The point is to raise revenue, which will never be enough.

At some point, everyone will be charged for the "privilege" of entering the island.

 

[martybegan]

The point is to raise revenue, which will never be enough.

At some point, everyone will be charge for the "privilege" of entering the island.

Of course it is. That, and to expand their bike lane mania.

expanded mass transit is a good thing to me, the problem is expanding the system takes decades instead of years like in the old days.

I for one have a personal motto, "I drive through Manhattan, I never drive to Manhattan"

I've taken buses, subways and the LIRR for school, work, and just going out. For me driving to work makes more sense because 1) not going to Manhattan and 2) a 30-40 minute drive is a 1.5 to 2 hour mass transit commute because mass transit in NYC is designed to get you to Manhattan and a few local hubs, like Jamaica queens, Flushing Queens, Downtown Brooklyn, Newark, etc. It's not designed for peripheral travel.

 

[Zincwarrior]

So my commute doesn't take me to the congestion zone, but I do drive towards it or at least the access points for it part of the way.

First thing I noticed was a lack of trucks compared to a normal Monday/Tuesday morning.

Are commercial trucks charged the higher pricing? They can't take public transit and the city needs the good yes?

 

[ThisIsMe]

So my commute doesn't take me to the congestion zone, but I do drive towards it or at least the access points for it part of the way.

First thing I noticed was a lack of trucks compared to a normal Monday/Tuesday morning.

Commute was easier in both directions Monday, morning Tuesday, still waiting for the drive home today.

What I havent heard is anything about increases in mass transit use yet, so not sure if more people are using it, more people are working from home, or it's the lower truck volume impacting the traffic conditions.

Two other outside impacts could be the weather making people work from home, and the fact NYC has a Noro virus, the flu, COVID, the a bunch of old fashioned bad colds going around keeping people home in higher numbers than usual.

Should be getting more data as the week progresses.

or it's the lower truck volume impacting the traffic conditions.

I've always wondered why they allow 18 wheelers in NYC. Those streets and bridges were not built for 53 foot trailers and there are many low clearance bridges.

I've always thought what they need to do for NYC is, build a couple of super hubs outside of the city, maybe one on the north side and one on the south side. All 18 wheelers will drop their loads off at these hubs, and then smaller Ryder style trucks would take the products from there into the city. Thus eliminating those big trucks from even going into those places.

 

[martybegan]

Are commercial trucks charged the higher pricing? They can't take public transit and the city needs the good yes?

Oh hell yes they are. So right now I notice less trucks on the road both on my morning and evening commute. When they are doing there deliveries I don't know, or if it's impacting deliveries, but It will probably take a week or so for the people observing it to report on it.

 

[martybegan]

I've always wondered why they allow 18 wheelers in NYC. Those streets and bridges were not built for 53 foot trailers and there are many low clearance bridges.

I've always thought what they need to do for NYC is, build a couple of super hubs outside of the city, many one on the north side and one on the south side. All 18 wheelers will drop their loads off at these hubs, and then smaller Ryder style trucks would take the products from there into the city. Thus eliminating those big trucks from even going into those places.

18 wheelers tend to avoid Manhattan simply because they can't make many of the turns, especially downtown.

Big trucks congregate already in the outer boros, and there are designated truck routes for them, that many ignore.

I live on a busy road that shouldn't see tractor trailers, but I do. It's a quicker run for them, as long as they can make the turns, which sometimes they cannot.

 

[Zincwarrior]

18 wheelers tend to avoid Manhattan simply because they can't make many of the turns, especially downtown.

Big trucks congregate already in the outer boros, and there are designated truck routes for them, that many ignore.

I live on a busy road that shouldn't see tractor trailers, but I do. It's a quicker run for them, as long as they can make the turns, which sometimes they cannot.

I like the concept of commercial hubs outside as noted. I used to watch youtubes of a bicycle dude and you would occasionally see the trucks just absolutely jacked up. How anyone bikes or drives there...terrifying!

 

[martybegan]

I like the concept of commercial hubs outside as noted. I used to watch youtubes of a bicycle dude and you would occasionally see the trucks just absolutely jacked up. How anyone bikes or drives there...terrifying!

The issue in Manhattan has always been large box trucks double parking to make deliveries in certain areas. I rarely see a tractor trailer in Manhattan. The problem is even the box trucks are too big for the streets, especially now with so many damn bike lanes all over the place.

I'm sorry, but cycling is one of those pet ideas of the left that don't have any gravitas with me. It assumes people have the time to bike instead of drive or mass transit, are able to bike every day, and have some means of cleaning themselves up after an hour in NYC summer heat, or work in a place with people who can't smell.

 

[1srelluc]

Are commercial trucks charged the higher pricing? They can't take public transit and the city needs the good yes?

I think it's near $22.00 for each trip.

 

[martybegan]

I think it's near $22.00 for each trip.

Usually those tolls are per axle.

 

[1srelluc]

Usually those tolls are per axle.

I believe that was an average figure.

 

[M14 Shooter]

I've always wondered why they allow 18 wheelers in NYC. Those streets and bridges were not built for 53 foot trailers and there are many low clearance bridges.

I've always thought what they need to do for NYC is, build a couple of super hubs outside of the city, maybe one on the north side and one on the south side. All 18 wheelers will drop their loads off at these hubs, and then smaller Ryder style trucks would take the products from there into the city. Thus eliminating those big trucks from even going into those places.

Imagine the increase in cost for those materials - especially when you need 2x26' Ryder trucks to deliver a full 53' trailer.

 

[Sherlock Holmes]

So my commute doesn't take me to the congestion zone, but I do drive towards it or at least the access points for it part of the way.

First thing I noticed was a lack of trucks compared to a normal Monday/Tuesday morning.

Commute was easier in both directions Monday, morning Tuesday, still waiting for the drive home today.

What I havent heard is anything about increases in mass transit use yet, so not sure if more people are using it, more people are working from home, or it's the lower truck volume impacting the traffic conditions.

Two other outside impacts could be the weather making people work from home, and the fact NYC has a Noro virus, the flu, COVID, the a bunch of old fashioned bad colds going around keeping people home in higher numbers than usual.

Should be getting more data as the week progresses.

Get a job working from home, that's what an intelligent worker would do.

 

[martybegan]

As an update:

A NY POST article on how people are trying to cheat the scanners.

Exclusive | NYC drivers devise clever ways to conceal license plate numbers as congestion toll takes effect — including James Bond-style ‘plate flipper’

The Post spotted a variety of these sneaky, DIY tactics in action — often deployed on newer or high-end vehicles — reminiscent of the ongoing “ghost plates” problem that costs the city hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

While it’s not known whether the observed trickery is a direct result of the new $9 toll being imposed when entering Midtown Manhattan, many of the altered plates were sighted near the perimeters of the congestion zone on Sunday, when the fee went into effect.

This has been going on at the Bridges and Tunnels for years. Not sure how they plan to counter it, but they had better do it quick, because the more people realize things like this can work AND you can get away with it, the more the "sucker" effect will make more people try these methods.

 

[martybegan]

Get a job working from home, that's what an intelligent worker would do.

I work as a managing Engineer at a construction site, I can't work from home. I have what is called a "presence" job, I have to be onsite to do it properly.

You do realize your statement has the Marie Antoinette like ring of "let them eat cake" to it, don't you?

 

[TroglocratsRdumb]

So my commute doesn't take me to the congestion zone, but I do drive towards it or at least the access points for it part of the way.

First thing I noticed was a lack of trucks compared to a normal Monday/Tuesday morning.

Commute was easier in both directions Monday, morning Tuesday, still waiting for the drive home today.

What I havent heard is anything about increases in mass transit use yet, so not sure if more people are using it, more people are working from home, or it's the lower truck volume impacting the traffic conditions.

Two other outside impacts could be the weather making people work from home, and the fact NYC has a Noro virus, the flu, COVID, the a bunch of old fashioned bad colds going around keeping people home in higher numbers than usual.

Should be getting more data as the week progresses.

I drove to Manhattan once.
They charged me $15 to use their tunnel.
I was surprised at how expensive it was.
I couldn't find any place to park.
I almost ran out of gas before I found a gas station.
But it was an interesting experience.

 

[Sherlock Holmes]

I work as a managing Engineer at a construction site, I can't work from home. I have what is called a "presence" job, I have to be onsite to do it properly.

You do realize your statement has the Marie Antoinette like ring of "let them eat cake" to it, don't you?

That's what was intended.

After the incessant accusations of presumed laziness and purported inefficiencies of working from home, made by the trumpanzees, it was an appropriate suggestion.

 

[TroglocratsRdumb]

As an update:

A NY POST article on how people are trying to cheat the scanners.

Exclusive | NYC drivers devise clever ways to conceal license plate numbers as congestion toll takes effect — including James Bond-style ‘plate flipper’



This has been going on at the Bridges and Tunnels for years. Not sure how they plan to counter it, but they had better do it quick, because the more people realize things like this can work AND you can get away with it, the more the "sucker" effect will make more people try these methods.

They should use Kathy Huchul's license plate number

 

[martybegan]

I drove to Manhattan once.
They charged me $15 to use their tunnel.
I was surprised at how expensive it was.
I couldn't find any place to park.
I almost ran out of gas before I found a gas station.
But it was an interesting experience.

I've lived in NYC my entire life, and I find anyone who drives to work in Manhattan crazy, but some people simply don't like mass transit.

I get it, but you wouldn't catch me trying to do it in a thousand years.