the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, New Jersey residents are bracing for the possibility of congestion pricing hitting their roadways, as Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a Democrat running for governor, pushes the controversial policy. Fulop’s plan, which includes tolling key highways like Route 17, Interstate 287, and US 9W, has ignited fierce debate about affordability, environmental benefits, and economic impact in the Garden State.
Congestion Pricing: What Is It?
Congestion pricing is a policy that charges drivers a fee for accessing certain roads or zones during peak traffic hours. Proponents argue it reduces traffic, cuts emissions, and raises funds for mass transit. However, critics contend it disproportionately impacts low-income individuals and small businesses while making living costs even higher.
Fulop’s Vision for New Jersey
Mayor Fulop has expressed support for congestion pricing, stating, “I think that congestion pricing is a good thing for the environment and for mass transit.”
Key elements of his proposal include:
- Toll Gantries: Installation on highways like Route 17, I-287, and US 9W, as well as entry points like the Outerbridge Crossing and Holland Tunnel.
- Revenue Sharing: A call for collaboration with New York to secure funding for New Jersey’s transit infrastructure. Fulop criticized Governor Phil Murphy for not negotiating a deal with New York, which reportedly was willing to contribute millions to New Jersey transit projects.
- Environmental Goals: Reducing congestion and pollution by encouraging mass transit use.
Criticism of the Plan
Opponents argue that Fulop’s congestion pricing plan would make New Jersey even less affordable. Key criticisms include:
- Impact on Affordability: New Jersey is already one of the most heavily tolled states. Critics fear additional tolls will further strain residents’ wallets.
- Social Inequality: Low-income workers with inflexible schedules or limited access to public transit could be disproportionately affected.
- Business Concerns: Small businesses in congested zones may lose customers deterred by driving fees.
- Traffic Diversion: Drivers avoiding toll zones could clog alternative routes, exacerbating congestion in areas unequipped to handle heavy traffic.
Transit Advocates Weigh In
Transit advocates are divided on the issue. While some support congestion pricing as a means to improve transit and reduce emissions, others point out that New Jersey already collects significant revenue from tolls, which could be better allocated to support public transportation.
Danny Pearlstein, policy director at Riders Alliance, stated, “New Jersey should be applying the revenue from its existing tolls to support public transit to a greater degree than it does.”
The Legal and Political Landscape
New Jersey is currently challenging New York’s congestion pricing plan in court, though legal experts believe the state is unlikely to succeed. Fulop argues that instead of litigation, New Jersey should have negotiated with New York to share revenue and invest in transit improvements.
“We’re intertwined,” Fulop said. “The biggest missed opportunity for New Jersey has been not benefitting financially.”
Balancing Policy Goals with Public Impact
Critics and supporters alike agree that congestion pricing must be carefully designed to minimize negative impacts while achieving its environmental and transit goals. Possible solutions include:
- Subsidies or Exemptions: Offering financial relief to low-income individuals and small businesses.
- Improved Transit Options: Expanding and enhancing affordable public transportation to make it a viable alternative for drivers.
- Transparent Revenue Use: Ensuring toll revenue is reinvested in transit and infrastructure projects that benefit all residents.
What’s Next for New Jersey Drivers?
As congestion pricing debates heat up, New Jersey residents will have to weigh the potential environmental and transit benefits against the financial and social costs. With Mayor Fulop positioning himself as a leading proponent of the policy in his gubernatorial campaign, the future of New Jersey’s roads—and wallets—hangs in the balance.
What’s your take on congestion pricing in New Jersey? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Yeah, do it on Rtes 4 and 17 and see what happens to the back roads. Totally idiotic idea.
Yes, and yes, and then do it on the back roads too. We have the technology.
Good way to close 65 percent of the already struggling stores
Holiday shopping in Nov Dec helps to
Pick out an important gift by face to gift shopping..yes Dennis the menace
can get internet clogs with thin socks ..
We deliberately overdevelop the area and then complain about congestion. So well thought out. Idiots in charge and we continue to vote them into office. Elected officials don’t have the backbone to stand up to the developers. NJ in general is a complete mess.
Wise up and vote republican!
They have destroyed Paramus, overbuilding they should change the name to the city of Paramus. Remember when it used to be quiet, not anymore, the next town is Mahwah building everywhere jamming homes up everyone’s ass. It’s ridiculous.
Totally agree. I’ve seen Paramus change for the worse over the last six decades and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight. Destroy every last bit of open space. Sheer nonsense about having a “downtown “ green space in the new building construction slated for the Garden State Plaza. Who are they kidding? It unfortunately is becoming a city. So much traffic congestion and tall, expansive buildings . Many times I can’t even get out of my street due to the sheer amount of traffic volume on the adjacent main road.
This would be another tax by the democrats on local taxpayers. More online shopping!
Welcome to Communist America
I left Bergen County in 2007. If the Jersey City mayor gets his way and has congestion pricing along the routes 4-17 corridor, you population will just decrease again. I live in rural American. It can take two months to fix a pot hole, but we do not have crazies in charge just looking to soak the public with a new tax of the week.
Not sure if the population would decrease. People are moving here from NYC .
Create decent public transportation options and then we’ll talk.
This is just one of EZPass’s unintended consequences. It is just too easy now to build a gantry with transponder readers and start emptying your wallets. All the more reason to make certain that the US Government NEVER transitions to digital-only currency. Then they will be able to take all they want – at will. This is important.