NJ to Receive a Share of Congestion Pricing Money

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When Manhattan's congestion pricing plan goes into force this summer, Janno Lieber, the chairman and CEO of the MTA, stated on Wednesday that New Jersey will receive a portion of the money.

Lieber did not state the exact amount, but it is estimated to be in the millions of dollars for counties such as Hudson and Bergen, and possibly a few more.

When congestion pricing kicks in eight weeks from now, he added, New Jersey's portion will be distributed using the same formula previously applied to areas like the Bronx that are anticipated to experience an increase in traffic.

"The way that all of this is determined is allocations by the number of people impacted by truck traffic, and New Jersey will get its share exactly on the arithmetic," said Lieber.

News of the funding did not reduce New Jersey's opposition to the plan. Rep. Josh Gottheimer stated, "This 'Hey we’ll toss you a buck on the side to take care of you, Jersey' is not acceptable to me."

Yet the plan is on. The approval of congestion pricing took place in December. The MTA board said that charging drivers to enter a portion of Manhattan will bring millions of dollars into the ailing, financially strapped transportation system, and voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal.

According to the MTA, the plan will bring in $15 billion, which will assist cover the cost of more fixes as well as new trains and signals.