New York’s congestion pricing plan moves a step forward leaving many NJ residents frustrated
The plan could add an extra $9 to $23 to the already steep $17 tolls for drivers heading into Manhattan during peak hours south of 60th street.
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Get ready to pay more if you're heading into Manhattan during busy times. On Friday, the Federal Highway Administration gave the go ahead for New York to move forward with its congestion pricing plan. It's a move not sitting well with just about everyone in New Jersey, from Gov. Phil Murphy to those who visit and work in the city.
The plan could add an extra $9 to $23 to the already steep $17 tolls for drivers heading into Manhattan during peak hours south of 60th street. Both New Jersey Republicans and Democrats say the congestion pricing is unfair.
According to a joint statement by lawmakers in New Jersey, this will affect around 400,000 people who live in the Garden State and commute to the city every day. They take exception to the plan ignoring any infrastructure improvements with NJ Transit. The money would instead go to the city's MTA.
News 12 New Jersey spoke to some local drivers who say it's just another reason they'll avoid visiting Manhattan all together.
“We were going over there quite a bit a few years ago. But I'm not going to take my wife and daughters over there to take a chance of something bad happening with all the crime and stuff and whatnot. It's scary to go over there. I just want to stay where it's safe. Another reason for us not to travel into New York, into the city,” said Bill and Laura Edwards from Waretown.
RELATED: NJ officials call on NY governor to cancel congestion pricing plan
“It’s ridiculous. You’re going to charge us extra for going to New York. We spend enough money over there anyway,” said Rich from Little Egg Harbor. “You go in there and see a show, you have dinner, it’s very expensive. They want to charge us a fee too, to go over the bridge. They’re out of their minds.”
Murphy weighed in as well, saying "Until New York’s congestion pricing plan is fixed, I will keep working closely with partners from both states and both sides of the aisle... to halt implementation of this misguided tolling plan."
Brooklyn resident Steve Garron also weighed in and said, “I don't think it's a good idea because a lot of times you drive into the city because you don't feel like taking the subway. Nowadays you kind of think twice about taking the subway. So, I don't think it's a good idea. Congestion pricing is going to put an extra burden extra cost to the average human being who is paying a lot more in gas and general because of inflation.”
A public review period is underway for the next 30 days. These new tolls could take effect by the spring of 2024.
