Downtown toll introduced in New York

Anyone wanting to drive into Manhattan south of Central Park now has to pay: the daily fee is nine dollars (around eight francs). This makes New York the first city in the US to introduce such a toll.

Governor Kathy Hochul defended the measure, saying that car traffic in these areas has “too many unintended consequences for New Yorkers”. Originally, a fee of 15 dollars per day was to be charged, but after fierce protests, the amount was reduced to nine dollars. The funds raised will be used primarily to improve the city's subway system.

The surrounding communities of New York City had protested the toll, arguing that it would harm their businesses and disrupt residents' commuting options to Manhattan.

Taxi drivers also opposed the project, as while they are exempt from the fee, their customers must pay a surcharge when traveling within the toll areas.

The opponents of the fee are now also pinning their hopes on the future US President-elect, Donald Trump. A native of New York, Trump had announced that he would abolish the toll if elected to the White House.