New Jersey commuters react to judge's ruling on congestion pricing
Some commuters outside of the Holland Tunnel told News 12 they were hoping for a different outcome.
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A judge ruled Tuesday that congestion pricing can stay in place for now and ordered the federal government not to cut any MTA funding while a temporary restraining order is in place. This comes one day from the deadline that the Trump administration gave New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Some commuters outside of the Holland Tunnel told News 12 they were hoping for a different outcome. Drivers going into Manhattan from New Jersey say they don’t like the additional toll, while New Yorkers say they haven’t noticed any long-term reductions to traffic. The MTA sees things differently.
“I’m happy to see the local agency’s position upheld against federal interference when there’s no good reason on the other side as far as I’m concerned,” said Susan Singer, of Montclair.
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The MTA called the temporary restraining order an issue of state sovereignty.
“One of the things that people have been put off by is the idea that the federal government is going to step in and tell New York City how to deal with its traffic problem,” said Janno Lieber, CEO of the MTA. “That seems a little crazy and he specifically called out state sovereignty as an important factor weighing on his decision.
It’s a decision that has some people on both sides of the Hudson scratching their heads.
“Right at the beginning of it, there was a little bit of change. Less traffic. But as of now, it’s back to the same traffic that we used to have before,” said Kenley St Vil, of Brooklyn. “I think they should shut down congestion pricing. It’s not working.”
Some have tried to find their way around the toll by traveling during off-peak hours.
The judge asked that the parties move forward quickly with a briefing schedule and the production of evidence.
