What will New York City congestion pricing mean for Broadway?
Traffic sucks.
Not only is the traffic in this city a literal “beeping” mess, but it pollutes the air, causes accidents . . . and, well, just puts people in cranky moods.
That’s why the city is implementing congestion pricing for those folks who want to drive below 60th St. It’s the deterrent approach. Now, on top of those tolls you have to pay if you enter by bridge or by tunnel, you could be slapped with an additional $23 to drive through Times Square.
You can read more about it here.
I’m all for it. The MTA needs the money. The city needs less traffic. The air needs less pollution.
Only one thing that I have to ask . . .
What about all those people who come into the city to see Broadway shows?
It’s no secret that Broadway is still struggling to get the Suburban audiences back.
Scratch that.
The Suburban audiences ARE back. But they just aren’t coming in as frequently as they were before.
I spoke to a group of women at A Beautiful Noise this past Sunday, and they said this was the FIRST Broadway show they’ve come into the city to see since the pandemic. (And we’ve been back in full operation now for a year.)
So the suburbs are still hesitant.
Could this make them more resistant? Does the cost of parking, gas, a babysitter, dinner, and now congestion pricing make it no longer worth it?
Will it even enter their mind?
The hope is that they take public transportation, which has no traffic and is cheaper for everyone, and just may put them in a better mood!
And if it’s even easier for them to see a show when they come in via public transportation, maybe they will come in more often.
The trick will be to get those drivers to switch to public the first time. (Hmmm, sounds like a time for a good ol’ ride-n-save promotion to me.)
What do you think? Are you in the suburbs? Will another $23 prevent you from coming in? Or will you take public transportation? Or just stay home?
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Podcasting
Ken created one of the first Broadway podcasts, recording over 250 episodes over 7 years. It features interviews with A-listers in the theater about how they “made it”, including 2 Pulitzer Prize Winners, 7 Academy Award Winners and 76 Tony Award winners. Notable guests include Pasek & Paul, Kenny Leon, Lynn Ahrens and more.
