Gov. Murphy Urges Reexamination of NY Congestion Pricing Plan

Phil Murphy

Gov. Murphy Urges Reexamination of NY Congestion Pricing Plan

Phil Murphy

Alondra Cabrera

Governor Phil Murphy is urging President Donald Trump to reevaluate New York City’s recently implemented congestion pricing program, citing significant concerns for New Jersey commuters and residents.

In a letter sent on Trump’s first day of his second term, Murphy criticized the program, which charges drivers $9 during peak hours to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. Trucks face even steeper fees, ranging from $14.40 to $21.60. Murphy called the policy a financial burden on New Jersey drivers who already pay steep tolls at regional crossings like the George Washington Bridge and the Holland and Lincoln tunnels, where peak E-ZPass rates recently increased to $16.06.

“The current congestion pricing scheme is a disaster for working and middle-class New Jersey commuters,” Murphy wrote. “It imposes new costs on top of existing tolls while failing to address the additional traffic and pollution redirected to our communities.”

Murphy referenced Trump’s past comments, noting that he had called congestion pricing a “disaster for New York City” and a “massive business killer.” Trump also criticized the plan as a tax on New Yorkers and anyone traveling into Manhattan. In his letter, Murphy highlighted Trump’s campaign promise to “terminate congestion pricing in my first week back in office” and a quote where Trump referred to the tolling plan as “the worst plan in the history of womankind.”

Program Details and Exemptions

The program, launched on Jan. 5, aims to reduce traffic congestion and fund public transit improvements. However, it has sparked legal and political opposition. Murphy announced plans to amend New Jersey’s lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, challenging the federal review process of the program.

Drivers entering the congestion zone during peak hours (5 a.m.–9 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.–9 p.m. weekends) face daily tolls, while vehicles using the FDR Drive or West Side Highway to bypass the zone are exempt. Off-peak tolls for passenger vehicles drop to $2.25, with lower rates for motorcycles and higher charges for trucks. The plan includes exemptions for school buses, emergency vehicles, and certain low-income drivers.

Murphy also highlighted the program’s overlap with ongoing toll increases on major New Jersey roadways, such as the New Jersey Turnpike, which recently implemented its fifth consecutive annual hike.

The congestion pricing initiative, revived by Governor Kathy Hochul after an eight-month pause, adjusted earlier toll proposals, reducing peak-hour fees from $15 to $9. Despite these changes, Murphy argued the plan requires further federal scrutiny, stating, “New York’s congestion pricing scheme deserved a thorough review, but it didn’t receive one.”

“As you begin your second term as President, I welcome any opportunity to work with you and your Administration where we can find common ground,” Murphy wrote in his letter to Trump.

With legal challenges and regional tensions rising, the future of congestion pricing remains uncertain. Murphy’s appeal shows his dedication to protecting New Jersey commuters from added costs while seeking fair solutions to the program’s impact on the region.

Alondra Cabrera is the Editorial Assistant at New Jersey Digest. She recently graduated from Montclair State University with a degree in Communication and Media Studies. During her time at school, she discovered her passion for journalism and content creation. In her free time, she loves to create and edit videos for her corgis, Rafi and Toffe, and indulge in culinary adventures with her friends. Alondra also enjoys traveling, cooking, and working out. She is excited to embark on her professional journey in media and looks forward to contributing her skill and creativity to her role here at New Jersey Digest.