24/7 Automated Profits in Crypto

October through December are historically among the most bullish months for crypto. WaveBot -- an automated trading tool that takes all the guesswork out of profiting in crypto. It trades key levels, buying dips and selling at the perfect time, 24/7. All you need to do is set it up. After that, WaveBot takes care of everything.

NYC’s plan to ease gridlock and pump billions into mass transit? A $15 toll for Manhattan drivers

PHILIP MARCELO
February 29, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) -- Between bridge and tunnel tolls, parking fees and the ever-present risk of getting a traffic ticket, it can already cost a mint to drive into Manhattan.

Is forking over another $15 for the privilege of driving into the most traffic-choked parts of the island enough to finally get more people out of their cars and onto mass transit?

That's the hope, at least among some New York officials.

The Big Apple is close to implementing a plan that would use license-plate readers to turn all of Manhattan south of Central Park into one giant toll zone.

Most drivers in private cars would pay a congestion fee of at least $15, or $22.50 if they aren't enrolled in a regional toll collection program. That would come on top of the already hefty tolls to enter the city via some river crossings, like the $13.38 to $17.63 it costs to take a car through the Lincoln or Holland tunnels.

That price tag, it's hoped, will lead to fewer traffic jams, reduce air pollution and provide a desperately needed annual cash infusion of around $1 billion for the city's subway and bus systems, which carry some 4 million riders daily.

If the plan is finalized, New York would become the first U.S. city to join a handful globally with similar congestion pricing schemes, including London, Stockholm, Milan and Singapore, which is credited with pioneering the first such program in 1975.

But the lofty plan, which is aiming for a summer launch, still faces roadblocks and questions about whether it's worth it.

Public school teachers are among those expected to plead for an exemption at a series of public hearings that kick off Thursday.

Manhattan business owners are fretting about the impact on the local economy. Suburban commuters are furious over the prospect of even costlier workday drives.

The fee is a particularly tough pill for civil servants, many of whom don't have a choice where they're assigned, said Paul Caminiti, a public school teacher who drives in from Staten Island.

He says his options are either to swallow an additional $2,700 a year in fees to maintain his current half-hour drive or take as many as three buses that can take nearly two hours, including wait times.

"To the regular person that's paying all this extra money, that does mean a lot," Caminiti said.

For supporters of the plan, though, nothing less than the essence of New York is at stake. Only about 40% of city households own a car. People who don't drive need a reliable and affordable mass transit system, said Danny Pearlstein, of the Riders Alliance.

"New York is utterly and completely dependent on transit," he said. "New York has decided to invest in the infrastructure that makes New York possible."

American cities should take heed of London's experience, suggests Michael Manville, a professor who chairs the urban planning department at UCLA.

While use of private cars there plummeted in the early years, traffic has essentially returned to pre-fee levels more than two decades on, he says.

That could be because the city has granted many exemptions -- the city's famous black cabs, vehicles transporting people with disabilities and even electric vehicles don't pay the roughly $19 fee, according to Manville.

"There's always going to be carve-outs," he said. "But the further and further you start going down that road, there lies madness."

So far, New York's plan includes exemptions for emergency vehicles, transit buses, certain vehicles carrying people with disabilities and specialized government vehicles. Low-income city residents also can qualify for a discounted rate and a tax credit.

Passengers using Uber, Lyft and other app-based rides in Manhattan would be assessed a $2.50 surcharge per trip, while taxis and black car riders would be taxed $1.25. Those fees, which would come on top of a $2.75 congestion charge already imposed on for-hire rides in Manhattan, will be passed on to passengers, but will still hurt drivers if people forgo costlier rides into the city center, argues Raul Rivera of the driver advocacy group NYC Drivers Unite.

Trucks and for-profit buses, meanwhile, would pay stepped-up fees ranging from $24 to $36.

Congestion fees would be reduced during the quieter night hours, but would be in effect weekends.

John McCarthy, chief of policy at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which stands to benefit from the cash infusion, says the question is simply one of volume.

"We need to reduce the number using cars if we are serious about dealing with the congestion that's clogging roads," he said.

No less than five lawsuits are attempting to block the fee, including two legal challenges from neighboring New Jersey, where some 10% of the state's workforce commutes into the city daily.

Richard Galler, a Fort Lee, New Jersey, resident and a plaintiff in one of the suits, said he fears vehicle pollution in his neighborhood will only get worse if drivers who would have entered Manhattan via two tunnels south of Central Park divert to the George Washington Bridge, which is located outside the proposed congestion zone.

Residents in some of the city's more far-flung corners have similar concerns.

"What's in it for us?" said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, a Republican leading another suit against the plan. "You're going to hurt our environment, make our traffic worse and expect us to pay for it?"

People with disabilities worry their unique transportation needs will once more become an afterthought.

Jean Ryan, a Brooklyn resident who heads the group Disabled in Action, says the MTA's proposed exemption for disabled people is too restrictive. She's also skeptical the transit windfall will truly be invested in elevator, ramp and other crucial accessibility improvements, as the MTA has promised.

"Most disabled folks live on a very, very low income," she said. "They don't have wiggle room in their budget."

Manhattan business groups, meanwhile, hope authorities can pump the brakes while New York City continues recovering from the pandemic, which changed commuting patterns substantially as many office workers shifted permanently to working from home much of the time.

Cristyne Nicholas, who chairs the Broadway Association, said her group is especially concerned about the impact on night shift workers who must drive to Manhattan because of limited mass transit options in the early morning hours.

"This is not the same New York City from five years ago," she said. "We are concerned that the proposed fee structure and hours will slow the recovery."

___

Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo.

Continue Reading...

Popular

Lebanon files complaint against Israel at UN labor body over deadly pager explosions, minister says

GENEVA (AP) — A Lebanese government minister said Wednesday his country was filing a complaint against Israel at the U.N.’s labor organization over the string of deadly attacks involving exploding pagers, saying workers were among those killed and injured.

Why November 7th Will Impact Stocks More Than The Election - Ad

(This happens only once every 25 years.) Just 48 hours after the 2024 Presidential Election... A man from a completely different government branch is going to stand up, say a few words... ... and make history in the stock market. This event comes along only every 25 years... And experts are already positioning themselves to profit from it.

Stock market today: Wall Street rallies on Election Day as economy remains solid

Asian shares were mostly higher on Wednesday after stocks on Wall Street rallied as Americans cast votes in a pivotal national election.

Many retailers offer 'returnless refunds.' Just don't expect them to talk much about it

It's one of the most under-publicized policies of some of the biggest U.S. retailers: sometimes they give customers full refunds and let them keep unwanted items too.

Kamala Harris May Seize This Cutting-Edge Tech -- Act Now - Ad

A new technology (not AI) is powerful enough to save America $1.7 TRILLION in healthcare costs each year. Trump is rumored to use it personally... And Kamala Harris has threatened to have key patents on it seized. Whoever wins the election - it could cause a massive surge in demand... And send a tiny firm with key patents on this technology soaring. It's currently trading for only $7. But it likely won't stay this cheap for long.

Lower-priced new cars are gaining popularity, and not just for cash-poor buyers

DETROIT (AP) — Had she wanted to, Michelle Chumley could have afforded a pricey new SUV loaded with options. But when it came time to replace her Chevrolet Blazer SUV, for which she'd paid about $40,000 three years ago, Chumley chose something smaller. And less costly.

Washington governor OKs massive new wind farm and urges swift turbine approvals

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has approved a revised plan for a massive proposed wind farm after he rejected a sharply slimmed-down version earlier this year.

AI Warning: A Strange Force Overtakes U.S. Stocks - Ad

As AI stocks stumble/swing, Whitney Tilson just went on camera once again with his latest crash warning. If you have money in a single stock right now -- especially a tech stock -- you need to see what he's calling for today.

GM Recalls 107 Bolt Electric Vehicles Due To Fire Risks

General Motors is recalling 107 Bolt electric vehicles owing to fire risks, the NHTSA said on Tuesday.

Cathie Wood Bets Big On Mark Zuckerberg: Ark Pours $19M Into Meta Shares, Dumps Palantir And Tesla Stock

On Thursday, the Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made significant moves in the market, with prominent trades involving Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA), Meta Platforms Inc.

$2 Trillion Disappears Because of Fed's Secretive New Move - Ad

$2 trillion has disappeared from the US government's books. The reason why is a new, secretive move being carried out by the Fed that has nothing to do with lowering or raising interest rates. According to Dan Ferris, you should consider moving money to a unique "escape" investment right away.

Biden calls out Musk over a published report that the Tesla CEO once worked in the US illegally

NEW YORK (AP) — slammed for hypocrisy on immigration after a published report that the Tesla CEO once worked illegally in the United States. The South Africa-born Musk denies the allegation.

Trump: Harris Presidency Would 'Guarantee' World War III

Donald Trump said Saturday that the election of Kamala Harris to the presidency could trigger World War III.

A Gold Storm Is Coming - Ad

Stansberry Research just released a brand-new warning for what they believe will happen to gold in 2025. Even the most prepared Americans - including many retirees - could be blindsided by what's about to happen.

Jim Cramer Warns Apple Stock Should Have 'Never Been Up That Much' After Q3 Earnings Even As This Analyst Defends iPhone 16 Launch

Jim Cramer argued that Apple's stock was overhyped prior to its forecast cut, suggesting the market is now more "reasonable," while Wedbush analyst Dan Ives praised Apple's strong iPhone 16 launch.

Elon Musk Want His 11 Kids, Their Mothers To Live In Secret Compound He Bought, New Report Says

Elon Musk could be building a new family compound made up of several mansions to house his children and their mothers, according to a new report.

Shocking Footage from Bill Gates' $100 Billion AI Project - Ad

Jeff Brown flew to Wisconsin to witness Bill Gates' $100 billion AI project firsthand. What he uncovered will blow your mind!

A New York City law used to padlock suspected illegal pot shops is ruled unconstitutional

A law that New York City has relied on to padlock scores of suspected unlicensed marijuana shops is unconstitutional because it violates the rights of store owners, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Gold Set to Skyrocket as Fed Slashes Rates - Ad

History shows every Fed rate cut leads to a gold boom. And under-$20 play offers exposure to over an ounce of gold -- worth $2,500 -- at a fraction of the price. As the Fed slashes rates, now is the perfect time to buy.

Bill Gates Had A 'Very Bad Habit' That Could Have Derailed His Career

While at Harvard, Bill Gates had a bad habit he liked to show off. The habit was later fixed as it wasn't something in the business world appreciated.

A promising schizophrenia drug showed mixed results. What does that mean for patients?

Some people who took a new schizophrenia drug for a year improved with only a few side effects, but many dropped out of the research, the company announced Thursday.

Why Smart Investors Are Choosing This $16 AI Stock - Ad

If you've missed out on NVIDIA's recent 1,600% run...Don't worry because there's one AI stock that could be a lot more lucrative. It's currently trading for only $16. And most importantly... even OpenAI founder Sam Altman admits the future of AI "depends" on this company's work.

Apple, Microsoft And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Thursday

With U.S. stock futures trading lower this morning on Thursday, some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are as follows:

Apple, Amazon, Intel, Peloton, And Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

U.S. stocks took a downward turn towards the end of trading on Thursday, with the Nasdaq Composite dipping around 500 points.

Tesla Execs Are Freaking Out - Ad

You might not believe what you're about to see is real, but I assure you the video has been left unedited. It's so revolutionary that tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and NVIDIA are all lining up to get their hands on it. And Elon Musk has completely restructured Tesla to chase this opportunity.

Drugmaker Eli Lilly walks back 2024 forecast after 3Q earnings miss

AP Health Writer (AP) — Eli Lilly is dialing back its 2024 forecast after underwhelming Wall Street with third-quarter earnings and sales from two key drugs that missed expectations.

Jim Cramer Says Mark Zuckerberg Has 'Your Brain' As Meta Pours Billions Into Global Domination Strategy

Jim Cramer highlighted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's unique marketing abilities, suggesting Zuckerberg's focus on dominance and precision targeting can create global impact, as Meta's strong Q3 earnings exceeded expectations despite some stock volatility.

The Secret Weapon You Need for This Bull Market - Ad

There's a powerful tool that can remove all the guesswork from trading. It's built to trade the key levels for you, buying dips and selling at the right time, without you having to lift a finger. For a limited time, the creators of this incredible tool are holding a free Workshop where you can see the software in action.

Analyst Says This Crypto Could Explode By Up To 3.765%, And It Is Not Bitcoin Or Solana

Michaël van de Poppe, a well-known cryptocurrency analyst, has forecasted a massive upswing in the value of Sei, a competitor to Solana, with a potential increase of up to 3,765%.

Final jobs report before election will likely offer a blurred view of labor market

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans on Friday will get their last major look at the state of the U.S. economy — the October jobs report — just four days before Election Day. The view, though, is likely to be that left many workers temporarily off payrolls.

Are You Aware of the Fed's Secretive New Move? (Not Cutting Rates) - Ad

$2 trillion has disappeared from the US government's books. The reason why is a new, secretive move being carried out by the Fed that has nothing to do with lowering or raising interest rates. According to Dan Ferris, you should consider moving money to a unique "escape" investment right away.

Batman Fan? You Can Now Score A Full Size Batmobile Replica For An Eye-Watering Price Of $3M

Wayne Enterprises Experience has 10 full-scale replicas of the famous Batmobile from The Dark Knight trilogy up for sale, each priced at nearly $3 million dollars.

US Steel Reports Better-Than-Expected Q3 Results, Aims To Close Nippon Steel Deal By Year End

U.S. Steel reported its third-quarter results after Thursday's closing bell. Here's a look at the details from the report.

Silicon Valley Insider Reveals AI Retirement Playbook - Ad

Jeff Brown, who recommended Nvidia in 2016, is sharing his full blueprint to help you retire comfortably using AI investments. Follow his strategy for a secure financial future.

Taiwan wants to join the IMF to get financial protection from China

WASHINGTON (AP) — Taiwan, a major economy the size of Poland but absent from global organizations, is making a longshot push to join the International Monetary Fund, the 190-country organization that offers members emergency loans and other financial assistance.

What's Going On With Oklo Stock Tuesday?

Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) shares are moving lower on Tuesday, pulling back from a recent surge in which several nuclear stocks rallied for multiple trading sessions. Despite the pullback, Oklo shares are still up approximately 175% over the past month. Here's what you need to know.

Wavebot: The Automated Trading Tool for This Bull Market - Ad

October through December are historically among the most bullish months for crypto. WaveBot -- an automated trading tool that takes all the guesswork out of profiting in crypto. It trades key levels, buying dips and selling at the perfect time, 24/7. All you need to do is set it up. After that, WaveBot takes care of everything.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright trendadvisor.net
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service