On Thursday, the State of New Jersey’s lawsuit regarding New York’s first-in-the-nation congestion pricing will continue to be heard by a federal judge in Newark.
Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey said he wants a comprehensive government impact study on the plan’s possible consequences on the environment.
The case is one of many attempting to overturn the recently implemented $15 fee for passenger automobiles entering the heart of Manhattan.
Drives south of 60th Street would be subject to fees under the plan during weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to New Jersey’s lawsuit. However, when the Federal Highway Administration approved the plan, it “failed to adequately consider the environmental impacts” and “ignored the significant financial burden being placed on New Jersey and New Jersey’s transportation system.”
Murphy explained to reporters on Tuesday that they were merely moving pollution from Manhattan to New Jersey, not completely getting rid of it. “And you’re charging our commuters an exorbitant fee on top of that.”
Every day, over 400,000 people of New Jersey travel into Manhattan from the Garden State, and they will contribute millions of dollars to the MTA, which will be used to enhance public transit.
“The end result is that New Jersey will bear much of the burden of this congestion pricing scheme-in terms of environmental, financial, and human impacts, but receive none of its benefits,” according to the lawsuit filed by the state.
The MTA has refuted the state’s allegations of unsatisfactory tolls and insufficient reviews.
“You must be joking! Even if New Jersey receives millions from motorists in New York who use the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike, isn’t it unlawful for New York to impose tolls on its own roads? John McCarthy, the MTA’s chief of policy and external relations, stated in January.
A $35 million mitigation strategy was part of the MTA’s plan for the Bronx. Although the agency states it is committed to providing mitigation when necessary, the plan does not include a specific monetary sum set aside for New Jersey.
In light of the MTA’s approval of the higher $15 base charge and expansion of the congestion pricing peak time by two hours, New Jersey is requesting that the switches to congestion pricing remain off until further comprehensive research is completed.
Congestion pricing is scheduled to take effect sometime in June, and the judge says he expects a decision by the beginning of that month.
Drivers who enter through the Lincoln, Holland, Battery, and Queens-Midtown tunnels earn a credit because they are also paying a toll, and those who make less than $50,000 annually are eligible for a reduction.
The George Washington Bridge, which would not receive a toll credit because it is above the congestion zone, has been urged to have the proposed $5 toll credit increased to $10 by the Murphy administration and extended to the bridge.