NEW YORK — Newer, cleaner, EPA-mandated trucks would pay less to enter the Big Apple under New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s controversial plan to reduce traffic in the downtown core by charging vehicle tolls.

According to media reports, trucks with the new engines — which virtually eliminate NOx and particulate matter emissions — would get a break on the toll rate. Older trucks retrofitted with technology that reduces emissions by at least 85 percent would also quality for discounts.

The plan, announced months ago, would charge trucks $21 to enter Manhattan between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Cars would be charged $8.
The American Trucking Associations promptly blasted the proposal after it was first announced.

“In many instances, congestion pricing does not markedly reduce congestion; it just raises revenues — or taxes,” says ATA President Bill Graves. “In New York, motorists would pay $400 million for a mere 6.3 percent reduction in traffic. The cost is disproportionately high compared with the benefits gained. Not to mention, motorists have already paid taxes to use these roadways.”

In response, the mayor’s office said trucks with smog-free ’07 engines would pay only $7.

“Truckers still have to drive their trucks in, so they are fundamentally different, and to try to make this a more equitable and balanced kind of program, we’ll do this,” Bloomberg said.

The toll proposal, which according to a recent Reuters report is opposed by 52 percent of voters, still needs to be passed by the state Legislature.

— with files from Reuters