As New York City braces for the rollout of its congestion pricing program, slated to take effect this month, a spectrum of voices has risen from various boroughs, all expressing their stakes in a policy intended to reduce traffic and improve air quality—though the outcomes may not be evenly distributed. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) touts the benefits of lowered traffic in Manhattan's central business district, anticipating a boost in revenue for mass transit improvements, yet some residents in outer boroughs fear a less rosy picture.
Air quality concerns have been notably vocal in the South Bronx, where an "acknowledged reality," as ABC7NY reported, suggests that reducing traffic in Manhattan could lead to increased traffic—and thus pollution—in densely populated, residential areas like theirs. The MTA's plan has prompted fears among parents like Adonis Burgos, who said, "I think it is a bad decision because such things around schools, there are a lot of children that are suffering."
The concerns of South Bronx residents are echoed by environmental activists and lawmakers. Bronx Congressman Ritchie Torres underscores the constellation of healthcare woes that weigh heavily on his constituents, tied to the already present poor air quality and high rates of asthma. According to ABC7NY, the state has pledged to address these issues, pointing to plans for community benefits including $155 million invested towards environmental initiatives. Yet some argue these funds may not be sufficient to outweigh potential increases in local traffic and pollution.
In an assessment that takes a broader view, the program is projected to decrease air pollution overall in boroughs like Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, but the Bronx and Staten Island could see an uptick in air pollution as a result of rerouted traffic, as detailed by The New York Times. Government officials supposedly counter this with commitments such as renovating parks and improving school ventilation near highways. However, Assemblyman Kenny Burgos from Southeast Bronx has expressed his opposition to the plan telling The New York Times, "If we are getting more public transit with poorer air, it seems like a deal with the devil."
Despite potential for offsets in different localities, proponents of the plan highlight its larger role in New York State's ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse emissions. It's framed as a critical income source for much-needed repairs and upgrades to the century-old transit system, with expectations of around $1 billion in annual revenue. The improvement of public transit infrastructure is crucial not only for the environment but to encourage a shift away from private car use, Eric A. Goldstein, an attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, told The New York Times. Congestion pricing, viewed alongside other global cities' experiences such as London and Stockholm, is a multifaceted tool that could provide 'modest but measurable' improvements in air quality as well as an influx of resources towards ailing public transit systems.
