The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) said, according to NBC New York on Monday, that the nation's first-ever congestion toll, set to take place in New York City, was greenlit after having gained a favorable ruling in a U.S. district court. But according to a lawyer for New Jersey Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy, the congestion toll is a no go.
On Monday, Judge Leo Gordon for the U.S. District Court of New Jersey ruled in a 72-page opinion that the court's remand requires further analysis and revisions from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) before the toll program could proceed.
New York's congestion toll was set to take effect after midnight on Jan. 5. The toll would charge cars a peak of $9 from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and $9 for 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends; cars would still be charged $2.25 for off-peak hours.
MTA told NBC New York the toll project had been greenlit to proceed and that the judge's opinion did not rise to the level of an injunction. But according to a lawyer representing New Jersey, Randy Mastro, MTA could not proceed with its plan.
In a statement from Murphy's office, Mastro wrote: "We welcome the court's ruling today in the congestion pricing lawsuit. Because of New Jersey's litigation, the judge has ordered a remand, and the MTA therefore cannot proceed with implementing the current congestion pricing proposal on January 5, 2025."
"The judge," he noted, "determined that the Federal Highway Administration acted arbitrarily and capriciously in approving the MTA's plan, that the FHWA's decision provided no rational explanation of mitigation commitments, that New York changed its tolling scheme significantly after it gained federal approval, and that more consideration is needed before the current congestion pricing proposal may take effect."
New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul said she had offered cash to settle the lawsuit, but so far, no deal has been struck.
"We've made multiple offers to settle this lawsuit, very generous offers," Hochul stated prior to the ruling.
Despite Gordon's ruling, Hochul said after the opinion that the congestion toll would proceed as planned, construing the toll as a win for commuters.
"Despite the best efforts of the State of New Jersey trying to thwart New York's ability to reduce congestion on our streets while making long-overdue investments in public transit," Hochul stated, "our position has prevailed in court on nearly every issue. This is a massive win for commuters in both New York and New Jersey."
MTA has predicted a 10% reduction of cars on the road as a result of the toll, and has suggested the tax would generate billions in revenue.
Nick Koutsobinas ✉
Nick Koutsobinas, a Newsmax writer, has years of news reporting experience. A graduate from Missouri State University’s philosophy program, he focuses on exposing corruption and censorship.
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