Calls for Congestion Pricing Freeze Amid NJ Transit Strike
New Jersey Representative Josh Gottheimer is urging New York Governor Kathy Hochul to halt the city’s contentious congestion pricing until the NJ Transit strike, which has disrupted many commuters, ends. He voiced this appeal on Friday.
“I’m requesting that Governor Hochul freeze the crowds tax for those driving into the city. We’ve heard from numerous people regarding our tolls in New Jersey,” he said, referencing a Democrat’s comments during a report.
“We really need to give them some sort of relief until this situation is resolved,” he added.
Additionally, he’s asking for toll refunds for New Jersey travelers with unlimited NJ Transit Monthly passes, including those for the Port Authority, EZ Pass, and New Jersey Turnpike Bureau.
The strike followed NJ Transit’s failure to finalize a contract with locomotive engineers, marking the first major transit strike in New Jersey in over 40 years.
This disruption created a frustrating travel experience for about 70,000 daily riders heading to Manhattan, with several train stations remaining unexpectedly closed. In total, up to 350,000 commuters could find their services interrupted.
Gottheimer, who previously described Hochul’s revived congestion pricing scheme as “unusual,” noted that the strike has placed both local businesses and commuters in difficult positions.
“We’re in a tight bind here. I often grab a coffee, sit at my desk, and try to make sense of these issues,” he reflected.
Representing a community near the George Washington Bridge, Gottheimer suggested that if the conflicting parties can’t reach an agreement, “Congress should step in.”
Hochul’s congestion pricing plan imposes a $9 toll on vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours, aiming to bring in significant monthly revenue.
A spokesperson for Governor Hochul responded, stating, “Deputy Gottheimer should concentrate on resolving issues with dedicated transport workers in New Jersey rather than seeking assistance from New York.”
