Share toll proceeds with NJ
There is a simple solution to resolve Gov. Phil Murphy’s lawsuit against the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s implementation of congestion price tolling. All the MTA has to do is share some of the proceeds. Just like the MTA, both NJ Transit and the Port Authority have multiyear capital plans. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA Chairman Janno Lieber should offer Murphy, NJ Transit, the Port Authority and PATH a fair share of revenues generated by these new tolls that Garden State residents will be paying. Why not share 5% each with NJ Transit, Port Authority and Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) subway? This will still leave the MTA with 85% of toll revenues for New York City Transit bus, subway, Staten Island Railway, MTA bus, Long Island and Metro-North commuter railroads.
Some of these dollars could go toward the New Jersey share of the $18 billion (two new Hudson River tunnels plus rehab of two existing ones) or $39 billion full-scope Gateway project, the $10 billion Port Authority 42nd Street Bus Terminal, and the potential Penn Station improvement projects, along with other NJ Transit and PATH capital programs or other transportation improvements beneficial to New Jersey residents. After all, fair is fair. Thousands of New Yorkers are reverse commuters, traveling from Penn Station, Herald Square, Port Authority George Washington and 42nd Street bus terminals via bus, rail and PATH to jobs, schools, sports stadiums, entertainment, Newark Airport and other New Jersey destinations. They benefit from NJ Transit, Port Authority and PATH capital investments.
Larry Penner
Great Neck, N.Y.