Congestion tolls in New York City could send more traffic to poor neighborhoods
New York City’s congestion pricing aims to reduce traffic in Manhattan but could worsen air quality in low-income areas like the South Bronx, where residents already face high asthma rates.
Nicholas Kusnetz reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- New York began congestion pricing this month, charging vehicles entering Manhattan’s central business district to reduce traffic and fund transit improvements.
- The program could reroute trucks and cars into neighborhoods like the South Bronx, which already suffers from high asthma rates and pollution.
- The MTA plans to invest $100 million in mitigation efforts, including air purifiers and asthma treatment centers, though residents say this is insufficient.
Key quote:
“We are for reducing congestion. We just can’t be the shoulder-bearers of when they reduce it at other locations. Our community is suffering.”
— Mychal Johnson, co-founder of South Bronx Unite
Why this matters:
Congestion pricing could improve regional air quality, but the burden on low-income areas raises environmental justice concerns. Policies that shift pollution to marginalized communities risk exacerbating existing health disparities.
Read more: New toll system in NYC might not improve air quality for all
