A federal judge in Newark, NJhas denied the state’s request to pause implementation of New York City’s controversial congestion pricing plan.
According to the ruling, the plan can start on Sunday as planned Fox 5.
New Jersey leaders who filed the lawsuit against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority claimed the agency’s environmental studies were inadequate.
Judge Leo Gordon previously said regulators must specify how much money communities in New Jersey would receive to reduce the potential effects of pollution from congestion pricing. However, he did not say whether the toll could come into effect.
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A federal judge in Newark, New Jersey, has denied the state’s request to pause implementation of New York City’s controversial rate plan. (Getty Images)
Gordon said in his ruling Friday that there was no basis to delay the tolls.
New Jersey State’s Attorney Randy Mastro said he plans to appeal to block the start of the congestion charge.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber praised the ruling and pointed out the potential benefits of congestion pricing.
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Thanks to the ruling, the plan can start on Sunday as planned. (Getty Images)
“We’ve been studying this issue for five years, but if you’re in downtown Manhattan, it only takes about five minutes to see that New York has a real traffic problem,” Lieber said at a news conference. “I recognize that there has been a lot of controversy about this program and that there are many people who are concerned about the impact of congestion pricing. To them I would say that it is about making the city better for everyone.”
Congestion pricing is expected to generate billions in revenue for modernization That of New York transit infrastructure, but it has drawn criticism from New Jersey officials and commuters who say it places an unfair burden on people coming from outside New York.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber praised the ruling and pointed out the potential benefits of congestion pricing. (Getty Images)
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Some commuters could face daily charges of up to $22, including existing tolls Port Authority transitions.
President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly said he plans to block the plan after he takes office later this month.
