U.S. Enemies Iran, Russia and Other UN Diplomats Exempt from NYC Congestion Costs While Taxpayers Are Forced to Pay
Earlier this month, New York implemented the widely debated Congestion Relief Zone toll program, which will cost drivers $9 to $21.60 a day to drive below 60th Street in Manhattan.
On January 6, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Released instructions Exempting staff and workers from foreign missions and international organizations, including the United Nations, from paying Congestion Relief Zone fees.
New York City Republican Councilwoman Vicki Palladino told Fox News Digital: “Wait until the people get the burden of this.” “Why should a truck driver from Queens or New Jersey face a new burden of $10,000 a year to deliver to Manhattan while some corrupt Iranian diplomat gets complete impunity?”
The Queens Republican told Fox News Digital that it was “no surprise” that special treatment had been announced for UN staff. Paladino said the United Nations has used our city as its personal playground for decades, and the State Department has allowed them to be exempt from many of the laws and penalties that regular New Yorkers struggle with. “
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An NYPD officer stops by parked cars associated with the United Nations General Assembly in midtown Manhattan, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
“Our diplomats can skate anywhere they want in the five boroughs,” said Palladino, explaining how diplomats routinely get speeding tickets, fines and parking tickets forgiven. “We’ve seen cars with Diplomat plates racking up six figures for unpaid parking fines,” she said.
An investigation by NBC New York In the year By 2022, Russian diplomats have accumulated more than $100,000 in unpaid parking fees since 2003. A State Department spokesperson quoted NBC for the policy, “Since 2003, three or more unpaid violations will bar a country from diplomatic registration or renewal. Plates.” Russia had 46 unpaid tickets, but the State Department declined to “absolutely say” to NBC News reporters if Russia’s ability to register or renew diplomatic plates has been cut.
The US State Department has exempted UN diplomats and missions in New York City from paying new congestion charges under the government’s recent guidelines. (Getty Images)
Congestion Relief Zones charge drivers based on the size of their vehicles. In the year These fares, which will increase in 2031, are intended to raise funds to improve the transportation system and reduce traffic in the zone. Palladino said these fees would not result in “a meaningful improvement in the type of money they collect.” “The trust here is negligible,” said Palladino, describing the “absolutely filthy, filthy, disgusting” subway system and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in debt.
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Over-the-vehicle devices have been installed on New York City streets for a controversial pricing plan that will electronically pay drivers who travel below 60th St. to reduce traffic and emissions, improve the quality of life for New Yorkers and allow people to use public utilities. Transportation. (Getty Images)
Congestion pricing has already had an impact beyond reducing traffic. The New York Post The New York City Union of EMTs and Paramedics is urging its members to move from stations in congested relief zones because workers making less than $19 an hour can’t afford the $45 a week pay to enter the zone, the New York City Union reported on Jan. 3.
Fox News Digital contacted the State Department to ask why they exempted UN workers, how many vehicles would be exempted under their guidelines, and whether New York and New Jersey residents should bear the economic burden of the overcrowded relief zone. UN staff, including representatives of unfriendly foreign governments, do not pay anything. There was no response.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping say New York diplomats won’t have to pay the new price of congestion. (Alexander Zemlyanchenko/Pool via REUTERS)
Fox News Digital also reached out to the offices of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office for comment, but did not receive a response.
“Economically,” Paladino added, “price inflation is probably the worst thing that’s going to happen soon after Covid.” Fixing a “broken city” won’t happen by “doubling down the middle and lower middle class,” she said.
There are 193 member states of the United Nations, many of which have missions in and around New York City.
