Here's one way suburban commuters can avoid the hated $9 congestion charge.
Helicopter company Blade is launching a commuter service that will fly wealthy Long Island and New Jersey customers to its Westside hub.
While it helps ease traffic congestion, it costs $95 per trip.
The air transportation company, known for its helicopter service to New York's major airports, began service Friday, offering annual passes for $195.
An annual fee entitles you to round-trip helicopter rides to Hudson Yards' 30th Street and 12th Street helipad for $95 per trip.
The service will run Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and will allow commuters to park at John F. Kennedy International Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport and take a five-minute flight to the Westside. .
The move is part of Blade's broader strategy to offer efficient, high-end commuting options to professionals in affluent areas who may drive more than an hour into the city or rely on public transport. be.
The company said the $95 daily fee sounds high, but when you factor in tolls, congestion charges, daily garage fees and city parking taxes, it's roughly comparable to what suburban commuters pay.
Another benefit is that the flight time is short, reducing the burden of commuting.
A standard Long Island Railroad ride from Lynbrook to Manhattan takes about 35 minutes, but an unlimited monthly pass costs $253.
Monthly passes on NJ Transit's Main Line and Bergen County Line range from $77 to Secaucus to $304 to Port Jervis.
For bus commuters, the cost of a monthly pass depends on the number of zones you travel, with prices starting at around $100 for a single zone pass.
“As ground traffic increases and the transition to quieter, emission-free aircraft helicopters begins, we are introducing a park-and-fly option for commuters to experience the benefits of today's urban air mobility. We need to get started,” a Blade spokesperson told the Post. .
The official said the incoming Trump administration has “made U.S. leadership in urban air mobility a priority” and wants to “accelerate the transition to affordable, quiet, and emissions-free intracity air travel.” I think so,” he added.
New York City introduced congestion pricing earlier this month. If you have an E-ZPass, there is a $9 fee for vehicles entering 60th Street and below.
With New York City's increasing congestion and advances in electric aircraft technology, Blade is focused on developing more landing strips and increasing the accessibility of air mobility in the city.
Several companies offer helicopter sightseeing flights around New York City, including HeliNY, Wings Air, Manhattan Helicopters, and Zip Aviation.
Although mostly focused on private charters and sightseeing, Blade is a major provider of scheduled commuter flights between Manhattan and surrounding areas, including airport transfers and routes to the Hamptons.
The growing popularity of urban air travel has coincided with the rise of several companies developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, including Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Wisk Aero, Eve Air Mobility, and Jaunt Air Mobility. .
These companies aim to provide an efficient, quiet and sustainable alternative to traditional land transport and are planning commercial operations in the coming years.
Looking to the future, Blade is investing in electric aircraft technology and aims to transition to quiet, emission-free aircraft in the near future. The company is also considering adding commuter routes to further expand its urban air mobility footprint.
