Some New Jersey drivers say that they are frustrated with a new plan that could cost them more money to drive into New York City.
The state of New York is considering a bill that would change a $50 fee to travel into the city. This is on top of a proposed congestion pricing fee for cars that enter Manhattan below 60th Street.
It already costs commuters $16 to travel over the George Washington Bridge. Congestion pricing would add an additional $23. And now there is a proposed $50 fee for drivers in what New York is calling “Do Not Cooperate” states, which includes New Jersey. These are states that do not have red light and speed limit cameras.
“I’m not going in New York anymore. It’s too much. Changed too much…I’d rather stay here,” says East Rutherford resident Ruth Ann Carparelli.
Some of New Jersey’s representatives are also concerned with the proposed fees.
“This is even more insane than the congestion tax – that’s what I think,” says Rep. Josh Gottheimer.
Gottheimer has been an outspoken opponent to New York's congestion pricing plan and isn't a fan of this new proposal either. It is believed the proposal is in response to a New Jersey bill that would keep the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission from helping other states enforce automated camera tickets and fines.
"Why would we be cooperative with a state that used to be cooperative with us, but all of a sudden decided they are going to use Jersey as their piggy bank?” Gottheimer asks. “So now they want to charge us $50 on top of the congestion tax because we don't want to share the data?”
State Sen. Declan O’Scanlon sponsored the bill to prevent the sharing of data. He called the New York proposal “dimwitted.” He says he won’t let New York politicians extort “New Jersey into enforcing a corrupt automated ticket racket” on the public.
Some commuters told News 12 they were OK with some sort of tax to reduce traffic in Manhattan, but no one seemed to be supportive of a $50 fee.