Cars drive beneath toll machines on Broadway Avenue in Manhattan, New York City, as captured on November 14, 2024, by Charly Triballeau for AFP and Getty Images.
As New York City prepares to roll out its pioneering congestion toll system, the last potential roadblock was seemingly cleared when a U.S. district court addressed a lawsuit filed by New Jersey on environmental concerns, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). However, New Jersey’s legal representative remains cautious.
The judge indicated that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) needs to assess the situation, but the MTA conveyed to NBC New York that it has been granted approval to launch the congestion pricing this weekend. The judge’s scrutiny of the plan, they said, was not substantial enough to warrant an injunction.
Set to commence just after midnight on January 5th, New York’s congestion pricing strategy will require cars to pay a $9 fee during peak hours from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. During off-peak hours, the fee drops to $2.25, which is a 75% discount.
New Jersey’s lawsuit, which claims potential environmental damage if traffic increases across the river, seeks compensation in the tens of millions.
This issue saw resolution in a 72-page ruling released Monday evening.
“We’re pleased that Judge Gordon has agreed with the New York federal court on nearly all points, dismissing New Jersey’s assertions that the Environmental Assessment approved 18 months ago was inadequate,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber remarked in a statement. Crucially, the court’s decision does not delay the program’s scheduled start this Sunday, January 5th.
The ruling, however, mandates that the FHWA address some federal government questions, remanding the matter to them until January 17, 2025, for necessary actions aligned with the judge’s opinion.
Despite the MTA’s interpretation, New Jersey sees this as enough reason to halt the initiation of the congestion pricing.
“We respect today’s court decision in the congestion pricing case. The judge’s remand due to New Jersey’s legal actions means the MTA cannot go ahead with the current plan on January 5, 2025,” stated Randy Mastro, representing New Jersey.
Mastro reiterated New Jersey’s strong opposition to the implementation of congestion pricing.
In reaction to New Jersey’s challenge, New York Governor Kathy Hochul mentioned offering financial settlements to resolve the lawsuit, but no agreement was reached.
“We’ve made several quite generous offers to settle this lawsuit,” Hochul commented previously. Following the ruling, Hochul reaffirmed the weekend start for congestion pricing.
“Despite New Jersey’s attempts to hinder New York’s efforts to alleviate street congestion while investing in public transit, the courts have supported our stance on nearly all points. This is a significant victory for both New York and New Jersey commuters,” the New York Governor expressed.
The MTA anticipates a reduction of 10% in car and truck traffic once the toll is enforced.
MTA officials have pledged that the substantial funds generated from congestion pricing will be used to upgrade the regional system comprehensively.
A week before the New Jersey decision, a federal judge in New York dismissed another legal attempt to delay the congestion pricing initiation.
In response to a suit from the United Federation of Teachers, the Trucking Association of New York, and Manhattan residents, Judge Lewis Liman delivered a 111-page verdict, rejecting a request for a temporary injunction.
“Plaintiffs have not shown a likelihood of success on any claim,” Judge Liman concluded.
