A congestion pricing scanner is shown above the north-bound side of Broadway, between West 60th and 61st St. in Manhattan, Thursday, November 2, 2023 © Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK
Syndication: The Record
(Newark, NJ) — A federal judge in Newark will begin hearing arguments today in a lawsuit aimed at stopping congestion pricing in New York City. The lawsuit filed by New Jersey, argues that garden state drivers get no benefit from paying a fifteen dollar toll to go into midtown Manhattan. The MTA says the money collected from the toll will be used to pay for big public transportation projects in New York City. New Jersey’s lawsuit also seeks a full federal study on potential environmental impacts of congestion pricing.
The full MTA board gave its final approval for the congestion pricing plan last week. Board members voted yes at their meeting to tolling drivers 15-dollars to enter south of 60th Street. The latest tweak to the plan includes exemptions to yellow school buses, most commuter buses and certain specialized government vehicles. The MTA plans to start the tolls in mid June, but a number of lawsuits, like the one in New Jersey are trying to stop or delay that start time.