New Survey Finds Congestion Pricing Accelerating Displacement in Chinatown and Lower East Side
The Coalition gathered responses from 112 businesses over a month-long period, and found that 86.5% of those in the survey group oppose congestion pricing. Businesses in Chinatown and the Lower East Side report severe economic hardship. Since implementation 71.4% of businesses experienced reduced customer traffic, while 67.0% reported increased delivery costs and 52.7% saw disruptions in employee commuting. 71.4% of businesses report that their rent will be somewhat or significantly harder to pay because of the added burden of congestion pricing.
One business says: “Business has dropped by 70% ... I am very dissatisfied with Governor Kathy Hochul. The charging policy only applies to the 60th street area of Manhattan. This is very unfair to the residents and businesses living here. No fees are levied in other areas! (Regional discrimination).”
Coalition Calls for an End to Congestion Pricing
Based on these findings, the Coalition to Protect Chinatown and the Lower East Side is calling for:
An immediate repeal of congestion pricing
Implementation of policies to stop displacement, including the construction of low-income housing and the passage of the Chinatown Working Group Plan to protect the neighborhood from further displacement.
Our communities cannot afford to shoulder the cost of congestion pricing. The city must prioritize the needs of small businesses and working-class communities instead of creating policies that push us out.
View the survey summary and the full report, here.