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Could NJ introduce 'reverse' congestion pricing?
The controversial congestion pricing toll is in effect in Manhattan, but could New Jersey get the last laugh? The Mayor of Jersey City is floating the idea of a reverse congestion pricing toll. FOX 5's Teresa Priolo has the story.
NEW JERSEY - Could New Jersey have the last laugh?
The gantries are up in Manhattan for the controversial congestion pricing toll, but Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who's also running for NJ governor, is floating the idea of a reverse congestion pricing toll.
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What they're saying:
"New Jersey has the same opportunity to push the buttons that New York is pushing against us," Fulop said. "We could do that to them, but the goal is to get to a table to have a reasonable solution."
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NJ mayor talks 'reverse congestion pricing' toll
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who's also running for NJ governor, is floating the idea of a reverse congestion pricing toll. He joined Good Day New York to explain.
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Fulop believes reverse congestion pricing is the answer to New York City's new toll.
"There's plenty of crossings between Staten Island, New York, Bergen County, Hudson County into New Jersey," Fulop said. "There's plenty of opportunities to have the same sort of impact fee that New York is putting on New Jersey."
Big picture view:
The idea is the money will go to fund New Jersey’s mass transit system, plagued by delays and cancelations.
NYC congestion pricing in effect: Drivers' guide for map, costs and exemptions
The landmark initiative, which began on Sunday, is designed to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and raise funds for much-needed public transit upgrades.
"My view is that New Jersey Transit is a terrible product, and it should be invested in more, and until you get a reliable transportation system in New Jersey, you can't responsibly think that people are going to take the trains," Fulop said. "But this was an opportunity to get hundreds of millions of dollars into New Jersey Transit, and I think the governor just took a very easy political approach."
There was an option for New Jersey to get hundreds of millions from New York's new toll, but that opportunity was lost in the midst of litigation.
What we don't know:
The details have yet to be flushed out, but Fulop says gantries or toll sites could be stationed outside of tunnels and bridges in New Jersey. Like congestion pricing, there may be exemptions or crossing credits.
NYC to crack down on obscured license plates as congestion pricing begins
The crackdown could include a $50 fine for parked cars with obstructed plates, in addition to penalties for those caught driving through toll areas undetected.
It’s unclear if, like congestion pricing, New Jerseyans would pay the toll to reenter their home state like some New Yorkers do.
The other side:
FOX 5 NY reached out to the MTA and transit advocacy groups to gauge their interest, but they declined to comment. We also reached out to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to get his take, but haven't heard back.