Washington, DC Should Follow New York and Seriously Consider Congestion Pricing
By: 2019 DC Fellow Farah Benahmed
On March 31st, New York City became the first city in America to set a congestion pricing plan. Beginning in 2021, vehicles driving in Manhattan will be charged around $11–25 below 60th St. in Manhattan, although exact prices haven’t been decided upon yet. Profits from the plan will be used to repair New York’s subway system. Aside from an improved public transit system, major benefits include reduced air pollution and traffic. As Governor Cuomo aims to be a leader against climate change (e.g., 100% carbon-free power by 2040 goal), bold moves such as this congestion plan are proving that he’s serious about making change. Repairing New York’s subway system and incentivizing drivers to use public transportation is going to spur the move to completely decarbonizing transportation throughout the state.
In January, Washington, DC updated its Sustainable DC plan with some ambitious goals. Some of the transportation goals include DC increasing their use of public transit to 50% of all commutes, reducing vehicle commuter trips to 25%, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by 60%, all by 2032. If DC is going to achieve this goal, the city is going to need to create some aggressive plans. The general public will not be interested in shifting their routine without being incentivized or pushed to do so. Setting a congestion pricing plan as a way to meet its transportation goals could be a good first step in the right direction. Not to mention, Washington’s metro system is in dire need of the funds to fulfill its renovations. Directing the projects from the congestion pricing plan to DC’s public transit system would not only help complete its repairs, but DC could use the funds as an opportunity to electrify their rails and transition the entire metro system to clean energy. Also of interest, Washington, DC is the second most congested city in America. It could really benefit from a plan that will immediately reduce traffic throughout the day.
While New York City is the first city in America to create a congestion pricing plan, it’s not the first city in the world. Singapore has had its system since 1975, Stockholm since 2012, and London since 2003. In Stockholm, a study found that air pollution reduced by congestion pricing was about 5–15%. In London, traffic in the congestion zone area fell 15% in the first year and within three years, nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas related to transportation, was reduced by 17%. Overall these cities have largely succeeded by reducing congestion and pollution, and by using the funds to invest in public transportation and infrastructure. New York City has a real shot in making the city safer, cleaner, and easier to navigate. Washington could see the same effects if it chooses to focus its efforts on this solution.
Far too often, methods of decarbonizing transportation are focused solely around electric vehicles. But there is no silver bullet to reducing emissions in any sector. It’s going to take solutions from multiple avenues and it’s going to take plans that aren’t going to please everyone. Committing to a plan like congestion pricing will help set a precedent of having people start paying for the pollution that they’re contributing to and could get people used to the idea of a carbon tax. Holding people accountable for the effect they have on climate change is crucial to fighting climate change. According to the EPA, transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions at 29%. While Washington is determined to shift its citizens away from their vehicles, it should consider enacting a congestion pricing plan and completely revamp its metro system. This is a great opportunity for the nation’s capital to set itself as a leader amongst cities in successfully reducing emissions from transportation.
