Congestion Pricing Refund? Fierce Critic of Toll Wants to Give NJ Drivers Their Money Back
With the future of congestion pricing in New York City uncertain, at least one neighboring lawmaker is seizing on the opportunity to call for a refund for drivers who have paid the toll in recent weeks.
New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat, put out a statement one day after the U.S. Department of Transportation’s letter withdrawing support of the congestion pricing plan in which he “insisted” New York repay drivers.
“If New York insisted on keeping the cameras in place, they should be prepared to reimburse every Jersey commuter for the tolls they’re paying,” Gottheimer said. “Hardworking Jersey families should not be forced to continue to bail out the MTA’s woeful and legendary mismanagement.”
NJ Lawmaker Calls for Refund
The Garden State lawmaker, a staunch critic of the toll, also demanded an apology from Gov. Kathy Hochul “for claiming they are ‘not forced’ to come to New York.”
Can the DOT Terminate Congestion Pricing Unilaterally?
The Department of Transportation’s letter indicates that they were withdrawing support for the tolling plan but did not specify a date by which it would “terminate” the pilot program. While the department provided the authorization for the pilot program, congestion pricing is operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
In a statement, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said the agency filed a lawsuit in federal court to ensure the plan will remain in place.
“It’s mystifying that after four years and 4,000 pages of federally-supervised environmental review – and barely three months after giving final approval to the Congestion Relief Program – USDOT would seek to totally reverse course.,” the chairman added.
What Projects Could Be Affected by an End to Congestion Pricing?
On Jan. 10, days after the controversial program started, the MTA chair and CEO Janno Lieber announced the purchase of 265 electric buses as the first project “unlocked” by congestion pricing. The busses were purchased during the first week and are expected to be in circulation across the city later this year.
Another big project that could be affected by the possible end of congestion pricing is the second phase of the Second Avenue subway extension. In the days before the toll was implemented, the MTA issued a request for proposals from companies that could design and build the extension of the Q line between 96th and 125th streets, THE CITY, an independent newsroom reported.
Conclusion
The future of congestion pricing in New York City remains uncertain, and with it, the fate of several projects that have been made possible by the program. With the Department of Transportation’s withdrawal of support, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has filed a lawsuit to ensure the plan remains in place.
FAQs
* What is congestion pricing?
+ Congestion pricing is a program that charges drivers a toll to enter certain areas of New York City to reduce traffic and fund public transportation projects.
* What is the U.S. Department of Transportation’s stance on congestion pricing?
+ The U.S. Department of Transportation has withdrawn its support for the congestion pricing program, citing concerns over the program’s impact on traffic and the environment.
* What are the possible projects that could be affected by the end of congestion pricing?
+ The possible end of congestion pricing could impact several projects, including the purchase of electric buses and the second phase of the Second Avenue subway extension.
* What is the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s stance on the issue?
+ The MTA has filed a lawsuit to ensure the plan remains in place and has stated that they will continue to operate the program unless a court orders otherwise.
