Metropolitan Transportation Authority approves $15 toll for New York City congestion pricing

(The Center Square) — Commuters from New Jersey will likely have to dig deeper into their pockets to drive into Manhattan following a decision by New York City’s transit agency to give initial approval to new tolls for its controversial congestion pricing plan.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board of directors voted 9-1 to advance a proposal on Wednesday to charge drivers $15 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. The MTA’s initial plan approval kicks off a four-month public comment period where both sides of the issue are expected to sound off about the plan.

The program, the first of its kind in the nation, seeks to reduce traffic, congestion and tailpipe pollution while raising billions of dollars to support public transit.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul praised the move as a “critical step forward” and said it will mean “cleaner air, better transit and less gridlock on New York City’s streets.”

“The proposal approved today heeds my call to lower the toll rate by nearly 35 percent from the maximum rate originally considered,” she said in a statement. “This initiative will make New York City a global leader in transportation policy, and I’m grateful for the work of the Traffic Mobility Review Board to bring us to this milestone.”

But the plan is being challenged in court by New Jersey officials who’ve called it a “cash grab” to help subsidize New York City’s struggling public transit system.

Gov. Phil Murphy filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration in July, alleging the federal agencies violated the National Environmental Protection Act and the Clean Air Act by giving a green light to the congestion pricing plan.

Murphy, a Democrat, said he supports the congestion pricing concept but argues the MTA’s plan is “neither fair nor equitable” to New Jersey motorists.

Earlier this month, Fort Lee, New Jersey, Mayor Mark Sokolich filed a class action lawsuit against the DOT and New York agencies, arguing that the MTA’s congestion pricing will endanger public health by creating more pollution.

The new charges, which would go into effect early next year, will include a $15 toll for passenger vehicles entering the city from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., a $24 toll for small trucks and a $36 charge for larger trucks, like 18-wheelers. Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft will pay a $2.50 surcharge.

The MTA’s Traffic Mobility Review Board, which proposed the tolls, said the plan would mean 153,000 fewer cars in a large portion of downtown Manhattan. They also predicted that $15 billion would come from the plan, which would be used to modernize subways and buses.

The MTA says it has made concessions to ease criticism of the plan, including a 25% discount for low-income commuters, or those making $50,000 annually, on-peak and off-peak tolls if they make at least 10 trips to the zone.