New Jersey officials vow to take further legal action to stop proposed NYC congestion pricing
The Traffic Mobility Review Board on Thursday announced a proposed $15 congestion fee to enter Manhattan’s Commercial Business District south of 60th Street
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Commuting into lower Manhattan will cost drivers more money once the congestion pricing plan goes into effect next year. In addition to the current tolls, cars will pay $15 and trucks will have an even higher fee.
Commuters say that this is not going to bring any positive outcome, but instead will cause a headache and give them less money to provide for their families. Meanwhile, Gov. Phil Murphy is not staying quiet, saying he is considering all options to stop congestion pricing, including legal actions.
"Fifteen dollars, that's a lot of money for me. I am also concerned that the traffic will go outside of Manhattan and make the commute worse," said Matt Sutin, a high school teacher in Metuchen, who lives in Queens.
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Trucks could pay as much as $24 to $36, depending on their size. A motorcycle would pay $7.50. Taxi riders can expect an additional $1.25 per fare. Uber and Lyft are expected to add an additional $2.50 per ride.
New Jersey’s governor says that something will be done to stop this plan.
“It's displacing pollution from Manhattan to northern Jersey, particularly in and around the George Washington Bridge. And it's ripping off New Jersey commuters to pay for whatever financial failings the MTA has. We're considering all of our options including further legal action,” Murphy says.
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The congestion pricing plan, which is scheduled to start next spring, aims to reduce traffic in lower Manhattan. But commuters think otherwise.
"I don't think is gonna stop the congestion problem at all. It is just gonna cost more Americans to get mad that they gotta pay more money to get into the city," says Isaiah Brown.
If you are looking to save some money, here are some tips. Cars will get a $5 credit when entering Manhattan through any of the Hudson or East River tunnels. Trucks and buses would get a $12-$20 credit. A 75% reduction in fees will apply for commuting between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
There are also going to be discounts of 50% off for low-income drivers making multiple trips. But even with the discounts, the criticism of this congestion pricing plan is non-stop.
