NYC proposes fee on cars entering Manhattan

NEW YORK -- Driving into the most congested half of Manhattan could become an expensive privilege under a wide-ranging city program unveiled Sunday to cope with the booming population and ease stress on the environment.

The package of proposals outlined by Mayor Michael Bloomberg focuses on the city's transportation, energy, water and housing networks that in some cases already are strained beyond capacity by today's 8.2 million people.

The most controversial idea in the plan, from the mayor's Office of Long-term Planning and Sustainability, is a proposal to charge motorists for driving into Manhattan below 86th Street on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Trucks would be charged $21 a day and cars would be charged $8, on top of the city's already expensive parking.

Officials say it would reduce traffic and pollution while generating money for other transit projects -- nearly $400 million in just its first year.

The scheme, known as congestion pricing, is applauded by environmentalists and alternative transportation groups, but is politically tricky for New York City because it would have to be enacted by the state legislature, and many lawmakers from outer boroughs and the suburbs may not support it.

It is also certain to face a tough fight by organizations like the American Trucking Association.

"It will be a real problem for operations for trucking companies and shippers, including all the retailers in Manhattan, which is substantial," said ATA spokesman Clayton Boyce. "And all the people who get FedEx and UPS deliveries will have problems and will bear extra expense, so we definitely see problems with it."

The mayor's plan also addresses water conservation, housing, and energy-related proposals including tax rebates for installation of solar panels and retiring the city's most inefficient power plants.