Governor Phil Murphy shown in Glen Rock where he signed legislation, Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
Murphy says Congestion Pricing is unfair to NJ
(Trenton, NJ) – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is vowing to keep fighting against the MTA’s Congestion Pricing Plan for Manhattan — as the transit agency has issued its final recommendations for the central business district tolling initiative. Murphy’s sued the MTA in response. Still, the expectation is when motorists will be charged an additional $15 for entering Manhattan south of 60th Street when things are finalized.
Murphy is among other New Jersey and outer boroughs officials who have fiercely pushed back against the plan. He calls it unfair, given the money collected will only go toward the MTA and refurbishing the subways — rather than anything associated with NJ Transit of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Murphy has gone so far as to call it an “ill-conceived scheme” that aims to take advantage of New Jersey commuters in a bid to fund the broken MTA.
New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat, says the plan will increase toxic pollution in his state and cause higher cancer levels. His Republican Congressional colleague Nicole Malliotakis has spoken out against it, and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella has also sued the MTA.
Meanwhile, as mass transit’s importance comes into focus amid the looming prospect of congestion pricing, crews just broke ground on Wednesday in the Gateway Tunnel Project. Governor Murphy says the project will create 70,000 jobs and spur $20-billion in economic activity. The work will eventually rehab the over-100-year-old existing rail tunnels under the Hudson River, and build a new two-way tunnel. New rail bridges are also being constructed at key junctions in New Jersey.
