In Traffic Fight, London Plan Touted

By JUSTIN ROCKET SILVERMAN
December 5, 2006

http://www.newsday.com/news/...
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For the past three years, London has been charging drivers about $14 to enter the central business district. Subsequent studies found that the number of cars on the streets fell by more than 20 percent, and bus delays fell by half.

Environmental and transportation groups have been advocating for congestion pricing here ever since, and were joined yesterday by the pro-business Partnership for New York City.

"Any city that is serious about its efficiency has to look at congestion pricing," said chief executive Kathryn S. Wylde.

But now, a new group called The Committee to Keep New York City Congestion Tax Free is fighting back with its own statistics. "Everyone touts the London system as a model," said former City Councilman Walter McCaffrey, who now works for the group.

"But if you are in a situation where you have to bring your vehicle into Manhattan for work, you could end up paying $5,000 more a year for this new tax."