Although I’d like to ban unnecessary Manhattan driving by nonresidents, I’ll consider us lucky if we see even a London-style tax on driving within congested areas of the city.

The Partnership for New York City has researched the issue and laid out a proposal to impose a daily use fee, as reported in the Times:

The 840,000 cars that enter Manhattan south of 60th Street on an average weekday could be subject to a $7 charge during peak hours. Vehicles starting and ending their trips within that zone might pay a $4 charge. Several roadways would remain free, like the West Side Highway and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive on the East Side, according to people with knowledge of the study.

So logical, it almost brings me to tears. Charge people who are using the space, but not those just trying to get around it.

A business group is proposing this change, which would have obvious environmental and public health benefits, but it’s Democrats who are suspicious. Councilman David I. Weprin from Queens thinks it would be a “nuisance tax.” Uhh… you’re the nuisance. Take the damn subway.

MrLittlePants and I pay almost $2000 a month for an apartment that’s about the size of three Ford Excursions. If you’re going to take up space here—especially in a dangerous, moving vehicle—you need to pay up.