What New Jersey drivers should know about congestion pricing
By: Colleen Wilson
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Congestion pricing is on the precipice of starting -again.
.....
Eight months after Governor Kathy Hochul of New York suddenly paused congestion pricing, she has decided to revive the program stating today [01/05/2025] with a lower toll.
..... The new tolling program will charge cars $9 to enter the congestion pricing zone below 60th Street in Manhattan, down from the original $15.
.....
This is in addition to toll increases on Port Authority crossings and the New Jersey Turnpike that will also take effect in January. [2025] During peak hours, it will now cost automobile drives $16.06 to cross Port Authority bridges and tunnels, including the George Washington Bridge and the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, at E-Z Pass discounted rates. It's $18.31 for those without an E-z Pass. Turnpike toll rates are set to rise 3%, the fifth annual increase since 2020.
.....
Despite its new intended start date, [01/05/2025] factors that are in play could upend the controversial congestion pricing program:
* There are several court cases, the most prominent of which involves the state of New Jersey trying to end congestion pricing until its effects are studied more broadly.
* President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the program when he takes office January 20, [2025] but if it stats, it will have been underway for two weeks by then with the necessary sign-offs from the federal government.
..... If everything, starts as currently planed, here's what to expect starting this year: [01/05/2025]
* Charges at E-Z Pass rates from 2025-2027"
* $9 will be charged once daily for passenger vehicles and passenger vehicles with commercial license plates that enter the zone during peak hours, between 5 AM. and 9 PM. on weekdays and from 9 AM to 9 PM. on weekends.
* $2.25 will be charged for passenger vehicles and passenger vehicles with commercial license plates that enter the zone during off-peak hours.
* $14.40 or $21.60 will be charged for trucks and buses - depending on their size - to enter the zone during peak hours.
* $3.60 or $5.40 will be charged for trucks and buses depending on their size to enter the zone during off-peak hours.
* $4.50 will be charged for motorcycles to enter the zone during peak hours.
* $1.05 will be charged for motorcycles to enter the zone during off-peak hours.
* $0.75 will be added teach paid passenger trip for trips to, form, within or through the zone using a taxi, green cab or for-hire vehicle.
* $1.50 will be added to each paid passenger trip for trips, pt, from, within or through the zone using a high-volume for-hire vehicle or app-based service, such as Uber and Lyft.
*
Vehicles that receive tolls by mail will pay 50% more than the E-Z Pass rates
Credits, discounts and exemptions
* School buses contracted with the New York City Department of Education, commuter vans licensed with the city Taxi and Limousine Commission and buses providing scheduled commuter services open to the public, inclining NJ Transit and fixed routes from private carriers, are exempt form the toll.
* Specialized government vehicles will be exempt. this includes those carrying equipment and tools or when the vehicle itself is needed to do the work; it does no include those carrying agency personnel or elected officials.
* Certain emergency vehicles and qualifying vehicles transporting people with disabilities will be exempt.
* The Lincoln and Holland tunnels' crossing credit during peak hours will be $3 for passenger vehicles; $1.50 for motorcycles; and $7.20 or $12 for trucks and buses, depending on their size.
* The queens-Midtown had Hugh Carey tunnels' crossing cried during pear hour will be $1.50 for passenger vehicles; $0.75 for motorcycles; and $3.60 or $6 for trucks and buses, depending on their size.
* There is no crossing credit during off-peak hours.
* Low-income vehicles owners who register with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Tribororgh Bridge and tunnel Authority program will receive a 50% discount on the passenger vehicles peak period E-Z Pass toll rate on their vehicle's 11th trip and subsequent trips in a calendar month. there are no residency requirement to qualify for the discount.