Congestion toll takes effect, costing NYC commuters $9 to drive below 60th Street

Motorists heading into some of Manhattan’s busiest neighborhoods have begun shelling out a first-in-the-nation $9 congestion toll — a controversial levy critics contend will drive people out of Gotham and devastate the local economy.The scheme officially took effect at midnight on Sunday, meaning drivers entering the city below 60th Street will now have to pay $9 during peak hours — 5 a.m.

to 9 p.m.on weekdays and 9 a.m.

to 9 p.m.on weekends — and $2.25 for off-peak hours.During peak hours, large trucks will pay $21.60, small trucks $14.40 and motorcycles $4.50.One of the first motorists to pay the toll, a man who declined to give his name, seem resigned to pay the price.“There’s nothing we can do.

They already decided, there’s nothing we can do,” he said, after going through a toll reader near the Lincoln Tunnel.Another driver, when informed he had just missed the last chance to enter Manhattan congestion-toll-free declared: “Right now ?!” “Ahhhh.”Earlier on Saturday drivers ripped the plan and trashed Gov.Kathy Hochul, hours before the scheme went into effect.“We pay a lot of money to live in this formerly wonderful city, that has taken some hits recently, and I think it’s terrible to be charging people that pay taxes who live here extra money when they cross 61st St,” said Samantha Popper, a 44-year-old stay-at-home-mom who lives nearby.“It’s infuriating that in just another day we’ll be charged a hefty toll just to cross 61st, which is just in my neighborhood,” she added.Her message to Gov.

Kathy Hochul: “work a lot harder” to keep New Yorkers here and don’t “try to run them out of the city by up-charging them.”Brian Anderson, a 42-year-old information technology specialist, said he lived in the city for over a decade but moved to New Jersey five years ago after being clocked in the face and knocked unconscious while reading a book on the subway.He said he moved specifically to avoid using mass transit but now ...