New York’s Congestion Pricing Scheme Will Devastate New Jersey Commuters
By Giuseppe Palmeri, Councilman, Jackson Township
On January 1, 2025, New York officially implemented its controversial congestion pricing plan, adding yet another financial burden to New Jersey residents who rely on commuting to Manhattan for work. This policy, which charges vehicles entering Manhattan’s central business district below 60th Street up to $23 during peak hours, is being touted as a necessary step to reduce traffic and fund public transit improvements. However, the plan’s unintended consequences threaten to exacerbate regional inequities and unfairly penalize hardworking New Jersey commuters.
A Costly Burden on New Jersey Families:
For the tens of thousands of New Jersey residents who commute daily into Manhattan, congestion pricing is nothing short of a financial assault. Many already pay exorbitant fees for bridges and tunnels, such as the $17 toll at the George Washington Bridge, as well as parking costs and rising gas prices. Layering an additional $23 daily charge on top of these expenses could result in an annual commuting cost increase of over $5,000.
This policy effectively punishes residents for living across the Hudson River, despite their essential contributions to New York’s economy. While New Yorkers may argue that congestion pricing is a necessary tool to reduce traffic, the reality is that many New Jerseyans have no practical alternatives to driving. Public transit options such as NJ Transit and PATH trains, though available, are often unreliable, overcrowded, and lack the necessary capacity to absorb a significant shift away from car travel.
Economic and Environmental Fallout:
The economic impact of congestion pricing extends beyond commuters’ wallets. New Jersey’s suburban businesses and municipalities will also suffer. Many companies with offices in Manhattan may face staffing challenges as employees reconsider the feasibility of working in New York. Meanwhile, New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure will likely see an uptick in wear and tear as drivers seek alternative routes to avoid Manhattan, shifting congestion and pollution to neighborhoods outside the city.
Ironically, the environmental benefits touted by congestion pricing advocates may be offset by increased traffic in New Jersey. Suburban areas near the Hudson crossings, such as Fort Lee, Jersey City, and Hoboken, could see worsened air quality as commuters detour through local streets to bypass tolls. The ripple effects of this policy threaten to undermine regional environmental goals, further highlighting the plan’s myopic design.
A Disproportionate Impact:
The most troubling aspect of congestion pricing is its disproportionate impact on middle- and lower-income families. Wealthier commuters who can absorb the cost may continue to drive without hesitation, while those living paycheck to paycheck will be forced to choose between expensive public transit and driving into Manhattan. The policy creates a two-tiered commuting system where economic privilege determines access.
This inequity is particularly glaring given that New Jersey commuters already pay some of the highest taxes and fees in the nation. It’s unfathomable that they should bear an additional financial burden for the benefit of New York City, especially when the revenue generated will primarily fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), offering little to no benefit to New Jersey residents.
A Call for Regional Cooperation:
Rather than imposing punitive fees on commuters, New York and New Jersey should collaborate on solutions that address regional transportation challenges without harming working families. Investments in infrastructure, such as expanding NJ Transit capacity, modernizing the PATH system, and improving traffic flow at major crossings, would yield more equitable and sustainable results.
New York’s congestion pricing plan may be well-intentioned, but its implementation is a failure in regional planning and fairness. New Jersey leaders must speak out against this policy and advocate for our residents, who deserve better than to be treated as a convenient source of revenue for New York’s transit woes.
Let’s prioritize solutions that unite, not divide, our region while ensuring that the hardworking people of New Jersey are not left to foot the bill for New York’s ambitions.