www.nj.com Open in urlscan Pro
2600:141b:13::17d7:8283  Public Scan

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

Skip to Article
Subscribe


N.J. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ASKS N.Y. GOVERNOR TO STOP N.Y.C.’S PLANNED $23
COMMUTER FEE


 * Updated: May. 04, 2023, 12:37 p.m.|
 * Published: May. 04, 2023, 12:36 p.m.

By
 * Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

New Jersey’s congressional delegation has sent a letter to New York Gov. Kathy
Hochul asking her to scuttle a proposed congestion pricing plan that would
charge a toll for driving south of 60th Street in Manhattan.

The seven New Jersey congressional members asked Hochul to reconsider the plan
and “to work with Governor (Phil) Murphy and NJ Transit on new strategies to
combat congestion and emissions, specifically using commuter rail as a solution
that doesn’t involve increasing the cost of living for families.” The letter was
sent Thursday morning.



Under the congestion pricing proposal, a $23 fee would be charged for
non-commercial passenger vehicles to enter the “central business district” south
of 60th Street in Manhattan, with a goal of reducing traffic and crashes and
raising revenue for the cash-strapped MTA subways buses and commuter rail. A
preliminary report recommended providing credit for Lincoln and Holland Tunnel
tolls but is silent about doing the same for the George Washington Bridge.

The congestion fee has been described by opponents as a double tax on commuters,
who work in the city and already pay New York income tax. The letter was signed
by U.S Reps. Thomas H. Kean Jr., R-7th Dist.; Frank Pallone Jr., D- 6th Dist.;
Bill Pascrell Jr., D-9th Dist.; Donald M. Payne Jr. D-10th Dist.; Mikie
Sherrill, D-11th Dist.; Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist.; and Bonnie Watson Coleman,
D-12th Dist.

“This congestion price would uniquely double tax New Jerseyans and result in our
constituents paying upwards of $40 just to get to work every day,” the
delegation wrote. “At a time when families across the Northeast are already
dealing with rising prices and high costs of living, this added tax on simply
getting to work is unacceptable.”



Implementation of congestion pricing has now been pushed back to 2024, with next
April being the earliest it could start.

The plan would put more commuters on NJ Transit trains and buses and on the PATH
rail system but doesn’t provide funding for either system from congestion
pricing revenue. An Environmental Analysis stated NJ Transit and PATH would only
see a percentage ridership increase in the single digits.

“Even worse, the congestion pricing plan will tax New Jerseyans while
simultaneously providing no revenue for our public transit network,” the
delegation wrote. “We agree that additional funding for passenger rail projects
and maintenance is crucial to addressing congestion and pollution in our
communities, which makes the plan’s omission of NJ Transit from any revenue
sharing difficult to explain.

“We strongly urge you to cancel New York’s pending implementation of this
congestion pricing plan. Instead, we ask that you come to the table with
Governor Murphy and NJ Transit to develop new plans to re-invest in affordable
public transit options in our region.”



Congestion Pricing, which technically is a state law in New York, is waiting for
the Federal Highway Administration approval of an Environmental Analysis. Gov.
Murphy has lobbied federal officials to require a more detailed Environmental
Impact Statement be conducted.

The letter was also supported by local leaders, such as Essex County Executive
Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., who said it would affect residents in that county who
left the city for more affordable housing in New Jersey, but still drive into
New York City to work.

“Although there are many mass transportation options available, some who conduct
their business in the city still rely on driving cars or trucks at what are
considered peak times,” he said. “Penalizing Essex County residents with
significantly higher tolls is unfair and would be detrimental to the vitality of
our municipalities.”

The plan has encountered opposition in New York, primarily from the outer
boroughs, including a city council resolution to put congestion pricing on the
ballot and let voters decide.



While U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., didn’t sign the letter, he has
been one of the more vocal opponents. He joined U.S. Rep Mike Lawler, R-NY, and
Van Drew to introduce the “anti-congestion pricing” act in January to block MTA
federal funding and provide a tax credit to drivers paying the congestion
pricing fee.

Supporters say congestion pricing will raise $1 billion annually for the city
bus and subway system, which New Jersey commuters use, reduce traffic that
gridlocks neighborhoods, pollution and crashes. Similar plans have been used in
London and other cities outside of the United States.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.



If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on
our site, we may receive compensation.





FOOTER NAVIGATION

About Us
 * About NJ.com
 * Advertise with us
 * Contact Us
 * Newsletters
 * Jobs at NJ Advance Media

Subscriptions
 * NJ.com
 * The Star-Ledger
 * The Times of Trenton
 * South Jersey Times
 * The Jersey Journal
 * Newsletters

Already a Subscriber
 * Manage your Subscription
 * Place a Vacation Hold
 * Make a Payment
 * Delivery Feedback

NJ.com Sections
 * N.J. News
 * Local News
 * N.J. Politics
 * Sports
 * High School Sports
 * Entertainment
 * Food & Recipes
 * Events
 * Business
 * Opinion
 * Jersey's Best
 * Legal Notices
 * Obituaries
 * Jobs
 * Autos
 * Real Estate
 * Rentals
 * Classifieds
 * Special Sections
 * Local Life

Contribute to NJ.com
 * Submit an event

Follow Us
 * YouTube
 * Facebook
 * RSS
 * Twitter
 * Instagram

More on NJ.com
 * Place an ad
 * Sell your car
 * Post a job
 * Sell/rent your home
 * Apartments & rentals
 * Weather
 * Site map
 * Sponsor Content
 * Search
 * NJ.com Store
 * Archives

Newspaper stories and photos
 * Learn more about our newspapers
 * The Star-Ledger
 * The Times of Trenton
 * The Jersey Journal
 * South Jersey Times
 * Hunterdon County Democrat

Mobile
 * iPhone, Android apps




DISCLAIMER

Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of
our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and
Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023).

Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information

© 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us).
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted,
cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance
Local.

Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this
site.

YouTube’s privacy policy is available here and YouTube’s terms of service is
available here.

Ad Choices

Ad