TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy was dealt a blow by President Joe Biden’s administration who approved New York’s ‘Congestion Charges’ against New Jersey commuters.
The move could see New Jersey commuters being forced to pay as much as $25 just to get into New York City in the near future. Commuters entering the city below 60th Street will automatically be assessed the fee.
The US Department of Transportation has given the green light to the implementation of the congestion pricing plan in Manhattan and Albany. Late Friday, transportation officials received a letter from the department stating that federal officials had approved the assessment submitted the previous week, paving the way for the final stretch of the pricing plan.
Governor Murphy expressed his disappointment in the decision.
“Today’s decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation to allow New York’s congestion pricing plan to move forward is unfair and ill-advised. The Administration’s decision to move forward without a true environmental impact study undercuts some of the Administration’s own long-term goals, including the Justice40 initiative,” Murphy said. “Since day one, I’ve stood against the disproportionate negative impacts of congestion pricing on New Jerseyans – a greater financial burden on New Jersey commuters, double tolling, toll shopping, a lack of revenue for NJ TRANSIT, outsized environmental burdens on certain North Jersey communities, and financial impacts on the Port Authority’s capital budget,” Murphy said. “Everyone in the region deserves access to more reliable mass transit, but placing an unjustified financial burden on the backs of hardworking New Jersey commuters is wrong. Simply put, it is a money grab.”
Congestion pricing, a system aimed at reducing traffic in busy areas, will require drivers to pay a fee for entering certain areas of Manhattan during peak hours. The plan was initially proposed in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its implementation.
With the federal government’s approval, New York City can move forward with its plans to reduce traffic and improve air quality in the city. The pricing plan is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue over the next few years, which will be used to fund public transportation and other infrastructure projects.
The Department of Transportation’s letter to transportation officials is a significant step forward for the congestion pricing plan. It indicates that the federal government is committed to supporting the project and that the plan is moving forward as scheduled.
City officials have welcomed the news, saying that congestion pricing will benefit both residents and visitors to New York City by reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality. They have also praised the federal government for its support of the plan and for recognizing the need for innovative solutions to urban traffic problems.
“As a conceptual matter, I support congestion pricing, but it must be structured in a way that is fair to all sides. UntiI New York’s congestion pricing plan is fixed, I will keep working closely with partners from both states and both sides of the aisle, including Congressman Gottheimer and our congressional delegation, to halt implementation of this misguided tolling plan. Our Administration is closely assessing all legal options,” Murphy added.