Gov. David A. Paterson has given a lift to the idea of charging motorists for driving into New York City's busiest sections.
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has promoted congestion pricing as a means of relieving traffic and reducing pollution in the city. The plan calls for charging motorists $8 to enter Manhattan's busiest areas on weekdays.
The plan is complex and controversial; it requires approval of the state Legislature and the city's OK.
Mr. Bloomberg lobbied Gov. Paterson last week, and received private approval of the plan, the New York Times reported. On Friday, the governor submitted a bill to the Legislature to establish it.
"Congestion pricing addresses two urgent concerns of the residents of New York City and its suburbs: the need to reduce congestion on our streets and roads, and thereby reduce pollution, and the need to raise significant revenue for mass transit improvement," Mr. Paterson said.
Mr. Bloomberg also has the approval of Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, but not that of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who represents the Lower East Side. Drivers already in the zone affected, which includes Mr. Silver's district, would not be charged.
Having mass transit ready to provide transportation for commuters working in the city is key. Mr. Silver has expressed concerns that money is lacking for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's capital plan to do that. A spokesman said that "it's not clear what transit improvements will be in place that will enable and encourage people to leave their cars at home."
Drivers using E-ZPass would be charged $8 a day to enter the zone but receive credit for any bridge or tunnel tolls they paid on the same day. There are details still to work out.
The city would receive more than $350 million in federal funds for mass transit if the plan is approved.
The mayor's plan makes sense. Other cities such as London have employed congestion pricing to ease traffic and pollution. The governor's support gives the proposal new life, but its approval by the state hinges on Mr. Silver's decision.
