Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Iris Weinshall today outlined an innovative commuter plan designed to help improve traffic flow into the borough of Manhattan.

Single-occupancy vehicles will be temporarily banned from entering Manhattan via any bridge or tunnel with an entry point south of 63rd Street. The temporary ban will be in effect from 6 A.M. to noon, on Thursday, September 27 and Friday, September 28. A subsequent analysis of the traffic plan's effectiveness will be used to determine whether or not the restrictions will be extended.

Mayor Giuliani said, "The City is beginning to return to normal as much as possible after the World Trade Center disaster. New Yorkers are resuming their everyday routines and are once again shopping and dining out. Unfortunately, street closures, ongoing construction and security measures have resulted in gridlock and congestion in Manhattan, which is only compounded by additional vehicles on the road. The traffic plan is the first step in alleviating this problem, and I thank all commuters for their patience and understanding in these efforts. I also urge all New Yorkers to use public transportation whenever possible."

Transportation Commissioner Weinshall said, "Carpooling has always been an efficient way to clear congestion on highways in and around the City. Now we are asking New Yorkers to ride with a friend or co-worker into Manhattan to help ease the City's traffic problem. With every commuter's cooperation, we believe this plan will prove an effective way to ease congestion."

The boundaries of enforcement will extend from the Queensboro Bridge southward to lower Manhattan, and from the East River to the Hudson River. Motorists who violate the ban will not be allowed to make the crossing into Manhattan and will be turned around.

The following is a list of restriction to be enforced:

A 4,000-vehicle park-and-ride will be available tomorrow at Shea Stadium in Flushing. Parking there will be FREE on Thursday, September 27, and Friday, September 28. The Park-and-Ride will cost $2 thereafter. Anyone interested in finding a commuter partner can contact CommuterLink, a non-profit agency, at (866) NY-COMMUTE. Riders may also take the 7 train from Shea into Manhattan.

Motorist in the following categories will be exempted:

• Vehicles with commercial plates (including NYP plates)
  
• Vehicles with official government plates
  
• Vehicles carrying essential, emergency medical personnel (i.e., physicians)
  
• Vehicles with New York City special parking identification permits for the disabled
  
• Vehicles carrying authorized emergency personnel
• Medallion taxi cabs and livery vehicles authorized by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission
  
• Motorcycles

Since September 11, the NYC DOT has embarked upon the following initiatives:

• Establishment of the free Brooklyn Ferry running during weekday morning and evening rush hours, from Sunset Park to the Whitehall Ferry Terminal, with a free commuter bus for residents of Bay Ridge and Sunset park.
  
• Authorized establishment of an Upper East Side Ferry to the South Street piers and creation of a Ferry service for New Jersey Bus Drivers from Liberty State Park of the South Street Seaport.
  
• Suspension of alternate side of the street parking rules indefinitely.
  
• Created a plan for bus staging in lower Manhattan.

For more information, motorists can call NYC DOT at (718) CALL-DOT. They can also log on to the City's website, www.nyc.gov/calldot.