In the congestion pricing scheme, New York wins at the expense of New Jersey
- Adopted in 2019 New York State Budget legislation
- Congestion pricing zone/Central Business District defined as Manhattan below 60th Street, excluding FDR and West Side Highway
- Statute requires pricing to support underwriting $15 Billion in MTA capital improvements over five-year plan
- Recommendations on pricing, credits and exemptions generated by Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB); final determination, implementation and operation by Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority
- Passenger Vehicles can only be charged once a day, emergency vehicles and transportation for disabled persons exempt; residents of zone with income under $60,000 receive tax credit for tolls paid
- TMRB not yet appointed, but must have representation from LIRR and Metro-North commuting areas
- USDOT has determined that a full Environmental Impact Statement is not required; an Environmental Assessment will be performed
Issues & Impacts of NYC Congestion Pricing Plan:
- Additional toll estimated in 2018 at $11 for cars, $25 for trucks – but must be updated to meet MTA funding target
- No New Jersey representation on TMRB
- Imposes additional costs at time of pandemic recession for individuals and businesses, including NJ companies delivering goods to NY
- Hobbles NY recovery of office occupancy and cultural institutions (conflicting with recently announced $30 million tourism marketing program)
- NJ receives no benefit from costs imposed on its drivers
- Unequal treatment at Hudson River crossings will disrupt traffic patterns and cause congestion at credited crossings
In the congestion pricing scheme, New York wins at the expense of New Jersey
- Any decision on implementing the congestion pricing plan should be delayed at least two years to identify post-pandemic “new normal” with respect to work patterns, transit use, traffic volumes and distribution
- Alternative funding should be explored for MTA needs, and other traffic management and enforcement measures implemented to combat congestion
- New Jersey should be represented on the TMRB
- Tolls on all NJ crossings into Manhattan should be credited against the congestion fee
- Scoping and consultation process required for the Environmental Assessment (EA) should involve the NJ public and NJ transportation agencies, including public hearing
- The EA should include a comprehensive traffic study including traffic in New Jersey approaching and over the Hudson River crossings under different congestion pricing tolling scenarios
- Congestion pricing imposes a regional transportation impact and should involve all parts of the metropolitan area