For one week every fall, New York plays host to the United Nations General Assembly, an annual summit that brings together dozens of world leaders, including the president of the United States, on the East Side of Manhattan.
It is a privilege for New York, often considered the unofficial capital of the world, to host the United Nations and its General Assembly. Simultaneously, however, the proceedings are a curse for New Yorkers who want to get around town during that hellacious week.
Traffic is bumper-to-bumper thanks to the numerous streets closed for security reasons. Gridlock gets worse when protesters take to the streets to demonstrate for their causes, as they did Tuesday morning when President Trump arrived for his UN speech. The subways are log-jammed with people trying to avoid it all.
Meanwhile, the NYPD spends millions of dollars on security details above and below ground to ensure the General Assembly is peaceful and incident-free. The MTA adds extra subway service to keep the city moving as best it can.
And while the average New Yorker driving into Manhattan pays a $9 congestion pricing fee to head south of 60th Street, the diplomatic entourages in town for the UN General Assembly don’t have to pay a dime.
When the congestion pricing toll system was turned on in January, the US State Department issued an edict exempting diplomats from paying the fee to get around — an extension of diplomatic immunity, in a sense.
It’s just not right, in our view, especially considering all the inconveniences New York suffers this time of year when the General Assembly is in session.
How can this problem be resolved?
The MTA could consider instituting a congestion pricing holiday during the General Assembly week. That would exempt drivers who need to travel into Manhattan and must endure the endless gridlock. However, this solution would cost the MTA the revenue it covets, and it might encourage more drivers to head into Manhattan, however questionable that decision might be.
On the other hand, the State Department should lift its toll exemption from diplomats for the week of the General Assembly. Consider it a way of giving back to New York — a small token of gratitude for supporting the extra expenses and aggravation incurred. The toll is affordable to every nation, and there’s no excuse for them not to pay.
The congestion pricing playing field during the UN General Assembly ought to be leveled. To do that, the diplomats need to be told to pay up, just like every other New Yorker.
