New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday pressed President Donald Trump to eliminate New York's congestion pricing, calling the program a "disaster for New Jersey commuters" that "must receive the close look it deserves from the federal government."
Under the program, which went into effect on Jan. 5, passenger vehicles are charged $9 during peak periods in Manhattan south of 60th Street. Trucks and buses pay up to $21.60. The fee is reduced by 75% at night.
Murphy, a Democrat, in a letter to Trump said New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul was abusing New Jersey motorists by adding congestion pricing when they already pay to enter the business district from the Port Authority of New York's Hudson River crossings.
"New York's scheme has never been well designed or adequately studied, and the lack of proper analysis was exacerbated over the last year as officials repeatedly made significant changes to the program and secretly rushed them through federal approvals," Murphy said.
"The resulting congestion pricing plan is a disaster for working- and middle-class New Jersey commuters who need or want to visit lower Manhattan and now need to pay a big fee on top of the bridge and tunnel fees they already pay."
Trump previously said he would put an end to congestion pricing.