NYC Approves Congestion Toll

New York City has moved a step closer to charging drivers $8 to enter midtown Manhattan. The City Council voted 30-20 in favor of the proposal, known as "congestion pricing," that has already been established in cities like London to reduce traffic. The next hurdle is approval from the state legislature. Mayor Bloomberg said the vote mirrors the "strong backing" of New Yorkers, reports the New York Daily News.

Opponents vowed to fight on despite the setback. "This is the greatest city in the world, and one of the greatest freedoms is the freedom to move about it freely," said one councilman. "What's next? We're going to charge a user fee to go into Central Park because it's crowded?" (More congestion pricing stories.)