A commuter disagreed with my column today supporting Mayor Bloomberg’s “congestion pricing.”

“What is the rush to jump on the first solution that soaks it to the driver?â€? he asked.

He had a different idea: require drivers into Manhattan to have one or more passengers as was done after Sept. 11.

That solution would have to be policed differently; traffic officers would probably have to turn away solo riders at the bridges and tunnels.

I still like Bloomberg’s idea. But if the state Legislature balks, as many predict it will, maybe the two could be combined. You would charged the fee unless you have one or more passengers, for example.

After Sept. 11, New York City implemented a ban on single occupany vehicles crossing into Manhattan south of 63rd Street weekdays between 6 a.m.

This is from a report done by the U.S. Department of Transportation:
“Most people who work in Manhattan take transit or walk,” according to the report, “Effects of Catastrophic Events on Transportatin System Management and Operations, New York City — September 11.” “Only 16 perent of all workers rely on the automobile to commute to Manhattan. During the daytime, more than two-thirds of all trips in the 8.4 square miles that comprise central Manhattan are made on foot. Even so, 14,000 motor vehicle trips are made per square mile per day, far exceeding trip density of all other counties in the New York metropolitan area.”

And the following:
“The 15% decrease from the normal peak commute (6 AM – 10 AM) shows that the SOV ban did deter some commuters from driving to the city alone or traveling during the peak. The increases in traffic volumes from 10 AM – 1 PM suggest that employers were sensitive to the new commuting restrictions of employees and allowed them to adjust their work schedules accordingly….ABC TV in New York reported in December that the SOV restrictions were having three effects: an earlier citywide rush hour, additional volumes on bridges above 63rd Street (e.g., George Washington and Triborough bridges) with corresponding longer delays on feeder roads, but an overall reduction in volume of traffic on the highways.”