NJ Governor Anticipates A Congestion Pricing Exemption, MTA Says 'Huh?'

Cars in Weehawken, NJ waiting to enter New York CIty at the Lincoln Tunnel

Even though New York City won't be implementing congestion pricing until 2021, everyone and their mother are hoping for some kind of exemption from paying the fee that will help create billions in revenue for the MTA, significantly decrease traffic in Manhattan, and encourage people to take mass transit. One of the noisiest parties complaining about congestion pricing is the State of New Jersey, where House members have been trying to rally support for an "Anti-Congestion Tax Act," or as I also like to call it the "Manhattan Moocher Act."

On Wednesday afternoon, NJ Governor Phil Murphy told reporters, "Gov. Cuomo and I came to a conceptual understanding — should congestion pricing move forward it would do so in a way that is fair to New Jersey... This understanding means that New Jersey commuters would be treated equally at all Hudson River crossings — the Lincoln and Holland tunnels and the George Washington Bridge."

Murphy added that "NJ will also have a seat at the table as the plan moves forward."

Murphy and Governor Andrew Cuomo did have a meeting, but, by Wednesday evening, MTA Chairman & CEO Patrick Foye issued a sharp statement: "With all due respect to Governor Murphy, we have no idea what he is talking about. No agreement has been reached with New Jersey or anyone else on credits, exemptions or carveouts because the MTA will determine the Central Business District tolls and other terms once the Traffic Mobility Review Board has made its recommendations and traffic and congestion analyses are completed."

Congestion pricing would affect drivers in Manhattan below 60th Street; the George Washington Bridge is five miles above the zone. Currently, EZ-Pass holders pay $10.50 off-peak or $12.50 peak to cross the bridge, while drivers paying cash fork over $15.

Former Chief Engineer of NYC's Department of Transportation, Sam Schwartz, told the Daily News that "providing credits to drivers crossing the Lincoln and Holland tunnels made sense, but said he was worried about doing the same for the George Washington Bridge."

"This is a waterbed. You press down on one end and it squirts out the other. We can’t keep going on giving out exemptions," Schwartz said, suggesting that non-NJ drivers might foot the fee for a higher GW Bridge toll if NJ drivers get a credit.

Murphy's office issued a statement after Foye's fusillade: "With all due respect to Mr. Foye, Governor Murphy has had positive discussions with Governor Cuomo on congestion pricing and Governor Murphy's remarks from earlier today reflect those conversations."