Liberty Bridge to Charge Toll Based on Instagram Photo Duration
City officials say the new policy will reduce pedestrian congestion by 80%.
Starting next month, pedestrians crossing the iconic Liberty Bridge will be charged a toll based on how long they spend taking Instagram photos, city officials announced Tuesday.
The new "Selfie Surcharge" will use AI-powered cameras to detect when visitors stop to photograph the falls, with rates starting at $2 for photos under 30 seconds and increasing exponentially from there.
"We've had people blocking the entire bridge for 20 minutes trying to get the perfect shot," said Parks Director Tom Wheeler. "Meanwhile, people actually trying to walk somewhere are stuck behind a wall of ring lights and selfie sticks."
The policy has received mixed reactions. Local influencer @GreenvilleVibes called it "literally unconstitutional," while longtime residents have started a GoFundMe to expand the program citywide.
Visitors who can prove they did not post their photos to any social media platform will receive a full refund.