Speakers from New York and New Jersey weighed in on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s proposed congestion pricing plan Thursday at the first of a series of public hearings.
Dana Dennis, who just moved to Essex County, said she supports the plan, as a way not just to reduce traffic and pollution but also to improve mass transit for people who depend on it.
But many speakers expressed concerns over the toll that congestion pricing will take on their finances. “For many of us struggling to make ends meet, an additional daily fee will represent a substantial burden that will force sacrifices in other areas such as food,” said Linda Nicholas.
The plan calls for a $15 charge for cars, and up to $36 for trucks, heading south of 60th street in Manhattan — and entering from bridges and tunnels into Manhattan’s congestion pricing zone during the day.
Kate Slevin of the Regional Plan Association said some anxiety is understandable. “It’s asking people to pay for something that’s free right now. And so it’s going to be controversial, but what we’ve seen in other cities is that once the fee’s put in place people see the benefits, and public support goes up.”
The system could launch in June, according to the MTA. But it’s worried about several lawsuits that have been filed, including by Gov. Phil Murphy, north Jersey politicians, New York small businesses and unions.
“With any lawsuits comes the risk of delay, and we can’t award contracts until the funding is assured,” said Jamie Torres-Springer, president of MTA Construction and Development. “So the MTA capital program must be placed mostly on hold. While the litigation’s pending, we won’t be issuing any more construction contract solicitations.”
“You may have less traffic, but you’re totally hosing people in the outer boroughs and in northern New Jersey,” said U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th), who is among the officials who sued the MTA.
