Congestion Price Tolling

In coming months, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority will be scheduling public hearings in New Jersey concerning the introduction of Congestion Pricing for those diving south of 60th Street in Manhattan. Tolling is to begin by January 2023. This is part of the MTA meeting federal requirements under the Federal Highway Administration National Environmental process known as NEPA. It will be an Environmental Assessment for introduction of Congestion Pricing.

If approved, NJ residents will be paying a portion of revenues generated by Congestion Price Tolling, The MTA estimates it will generate $1 billion annually. These revenues will be used to leverage another $2 billion annually via bonding.  This is supposed to raise $15 billion that will be allocated to the MTA $51 billion 2020 – 2025 Five Year Capital Plan.  Both NJ Transit and the Port Authority have similar multiyear Capital Plans. NJ should ask for a fair share of revenues generated by these new tolls that they will be paying.

Some of these dollars could go toward the NJ share for the $11 billion Gateway Tunnel, $10 billion Port Authority 42nd Street Bus Terminal or other transportation improvements that would benefit NJ residents. After all, fair is fair. 

Sincerely,

Larry Penner

(Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously worked for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office. This included the development, review, approval and oversight for billions in capital projects and programs for NJ Transit, NY MTA, NYC Transit, Long Island and Metro North Rail Roads along with 30 other transit agencies in NY & NJ).