FORT LEE, N.J. (PIX11) – Some New Jersey elected leaders, including U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, vowed to keep fighting congestion pricing during a press conference on Thursday.
The state sued the MTA back in April, arguing that congestion pricing could have environmental consequences for areas in New Jersey that border New York City.
"In my view, there should be no congestion tax. But now they’re charging ahead without regard to the health of New Jersey. That makes it extra crazy,” said Gottheimer.
Federal Judge Leo Gordon ordered the MTA and Federal Highway Administration for more information on the environmental impact of congestion pricing in a ruling on Monday, but declined to issue an injunction to stop the plan from going into effect on Jan. 5.
Both agencies have until mid-January to reply to the federal judge's ask.
A spokesperson for the MTA issued the following statement in response to the litigations:
“Nobody in their right mind should take transportation advice from the New Jersey politicians who have woefully failed to manage transit in their state—while also endorsing higher tolls on their own roads and on Port Authority bridges and tunnels, and higher fares on NJ Transit. Endless litigation over New York’s program to improve its transit and reduce traffic is the height of hypocrisy.”
MTA Chief, Policy and External Relations John J. McCarthy
Transit advocates are remaining cautiously optimistic.
“New Jersey is trying to get back on the field after the game is over. But we see through the pandering. They would throw every NJ Transit rider under the bus,” said Danny Pearlstein with Riders Alliance.
Court is scheduled for Friday afternoon before the same judge who issued a ruling Monday.