Results of Six Public Hearings a Disaster for MTA’s Proposed $23/day Congestion Tax 

Above: Results from MTA’s public hearings on the proposed Congestion Tax.

NORTH JERSEY — Today, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released a new report on the public sentiment from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) six public hearings on the proposed Congestion Tax. According to the in-depth analysis, the hearings resulted in an overwhelming pushback from the public, with approximately 74% of those who testified at the Public Hearings opposing New York and the MTA’s Congestion Tax.

Of the nearly three-quarters of the public who opposed:

1.       16.3% opposed because they believe the plan is another tax,

2.       11.3% believe the plan is a cash grab for the MTA, and

3.       10.3% believe it hurts marginalized communities.

“As this report clearly indicates, nearly seventy five percent of those those who testified are calling for the MTA to back off of its proposed outrageous Congestion Tax,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It will drain families’ pocketbooks. It will crush small businesses. It will increase pollution and congestion in New Jersey and the outer boroughs. It will disproportionately hurt lower-income families with an outrageous new tax and poisonous fumes.”

New York and the MTA’s Congestion Tax could go into effect as early as 2023 and would cost Jersey and New York drivers up to $23 dollars a day — more than $5,000 a year — on top of the already far-too-high $16-a-day tolls for our bridges and tunnels, to drive south of 60th Street to work in New York City from Jersey. No revenue from the Congestion Tax goes to support New Jersey, unlike the shared Port Authority tolls.

Members of the public can submit comments to the MTA opposing the Congestion Tax before September 9, 2022 to make their voices heard. Typed and recorded video comments can be emailed to CBDTP@dot.gov or submitted at mta-nyc.custhelp.com/app/cbd_tolling. 

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