We will address a significant source of harmful emissions by promoting the use of mass transit
The most effective way to use less fuel is to reduce the number of cars on the road. But this has not been easy over the past 25 years. Although our subway system improved dramatically, the percentage of drivers has remained essentially unchanged. It is clear that improvements to mass transit will not be enough to achieve a significant mode shift among New York drivers, an imperative for our economy and public health. Without intervention, traffic conditions will continue to deteriorate. By 2030, rush hour could last 12 hours every day.

That's why we will seek to implement congestion pricing, a system that charges drivers to enter a city's central business district.

Already used in London, Stockholm, and Singapore, New York City's system will assess Manhattan drivers in the designated zone an $8 charge between 6am and 6pm. This charge will result in a 6.3% reduction of vehicles miles traveled in the area, which could yield a 3.7% reduction in VOC, a 2.8% reduction in NOX, and a 2.8% reduction in carbon monoxide emissions across the city. (See case study on facing page: Congestion Pricing's Air Quality Impact)