Here's a solution to resolve opposition to the proposed New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) congestion pricing in Manhattan south of 60th St. by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and New Jersey Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA Chairman Janno Lieber should offer New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) , Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), along with the Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) subway a fair share of revenues generated by tolls Garden State residents will be paying.
This is supposed to raise $15 billion toward the MTA $51 billion 2020 - 2025 Five Year Capital Plan. Both NJ Transit and PANYNJ have similar multi year capital plans. Share five percent each with NJ Transit, PANYNJ and PATH. This will still leave the MTA with 85 percent of toll revenues. Share some of the $130 million in environmental mitigation funding for the New York City boroughs of the Bronx and Staten Island with Fort Lee, NJ.
These dollars could help finance the New Jersey share for the $16.8 billion two new Hudson River tunnels and the rehabilitation of the two existing tunnels connecting New Jersey Amtrak and NJ Transit Northeast Corridor with Penn Station or $39 billion full scope Gateway Tunnel, $10 billion PANYNJ 42nd St. midtown Manhattan Bus Terminal, New Jersey share of $8 billon Penn Station improvements and other capital transportation projects beneficial to New Jersey and Fort Lee New Jersey residents.
Thousands of New Yorkers are reverse commuters traveling from Penn Station, Herald Square, Port Authority George Washington and 42nd St. bus terminals via bus, rail and PATH to jobs, schools, sports stadiums, entertainment, Newark Airport and other New Jersey destinations. They benefit by NJ Transit, Port Authority and PATH capital investments. Everyone in the New York Metropolitan area would benefit regardless of which state you are from.
