NJ Rep. Josh Gottheimer calls on NY Gov. Kathy Hochul to freeze congestion pricing until NJ Transit strike is over
Share this @internewscast.com

New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer urged New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to halt the city’s contentious congestion pricing plan amid the ongoing NJ Transit strike that is causing significant disruptions for commuters, he stated on Friday.

“I am calling on Gov. Hochul to pause the congestion fees for those who now have to drive into the city and, naturally, address our tolls in New Jersey because I’ve received numerous complaints from individuals noting an increase in their costs,” the Democratic congressman explained during a press call.

“We need to give them some relief until this is over,” he said, adding the tax should be scrapped until trains are running again.


strikers
NJ Transit engineers went on strike, halting train service to thousands of commuters. Getty Images

He further insisted on full refunds of tolls, encompassing charges from the Port Authority, E-Z Pass, and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, for New Jersey commuters who possess a NJ Transit monthly unlimited trips pass.

NJ Transit failed to reach a contract agreement with locomotive engineers Wednesday, triggering the first major transit strike to hit the Garden State in more than 40 years.

The strike was a travel nightmare Friday for the roughly 70,000 riders who go into Manhattan daily, as some train stations sat eerily empty. Up to 350,000 commuters statewide may have also been left stranded by the halted service.

Gottheimer, who last year called Hochul’s revived congestion pricing plan “insane,” said the strike has also put local businesses and commuters in “a tough spot.”


Gov. Hochul
Gov. Hochul’s controversial congestion pricing plan charges a $9 toll for vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours. Lev Radin/ZUMA / SplashNews.com

“We can’t afford to have our great transit system frozen,” he said, urging both sides to stick out negotiations. “Grab that pot of coffee and stay at the table.”

Gottheimer, a moderate representing the bedroom communities that border the Jersey side of the Hudson River near the George Washington Bridge, added that, “Congress should step in” if the parties can’t work it out on their own.

Hochul’s congestion pricing plan charges a $9 toll for vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours, generating tens of millions of dollars in monthly revenue.

“Representative Gottheimer should focus on helping to resolve the dispute with New Jersey’s dedicated transit workers instead of looking to New York for a bailout,” a spokesperson for Gov. Kathy Hochul wrote to The Post in a statement Friday.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Billie Holiday, location manager for Marvel's 'Ironheart' Disney+ series, takes ABC7 on tour of Chicago sites featured in TV show

Billie Holiday, the location manager for Marvel’s ‘Ironheart’ on Disney+, gives ABC7 an inside tour of the Chicago locations showcased in the series

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago provides the landscape and inspiration for Marvel’s new…
Drum Corps International: Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps preparing for home DCI performance at Benedictine University in Lisle

Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps Gears Up for DCI Show at Benedictine University in Lisle

LISLE, Ill. (WLS) — A local drum and bugle corps is making…
Soldier walking past Patriot air defense systems at a military hub.

Russia Claims Trump is ‘Backing Terrorists’ Following US Decision to Send Weapons and Patriots to Ukraine Through NATO

RUSSIA has lashed out at Donald Trump after the US president agreed…
New England serial killer fears grip coastal town after paddleboarder’s ‘terrifying’ murder

Fear of New England serial killer looms over coastal town following paddleboarder’s ‘terrifying’ murder

A week after a paddleboarder from Maine was discovered murdered in a…
Naperville news today: Centennial Beach closed amid death investigation at 500 West Jackson Avenue, park district says

Naperville Update: Centennial Beach Closure During Investigation of Incident at 500 West Jackson Avenue, Reports Park District

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — A west suburban beach is closed to the…
Zohran Mamdani’s campaign persona called into question by vote to give himself raise: critics

Critics Question Zohran Mamdani’s Authenticity After He Votes for His Own Pay Raise

Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani approved a significant increase in his state…
War on cartels yields results as 'El Chapo' heir confesses to running violent drug empire

Crackdown on Cartels Sees Success as ‘El Chapo’s’ Son Admits to Leading Brutal Drug Operation

One son of the infamous drug trafficker “El Chapo” has confessed to…
Ex-Jaguars employee convicted of stealing $22M from team now faces state charges

Former Jaguars Worker Convicted of $22M Theft Now Faces State Charges

Amit Patel, 32, was admitted into the Duval County Jail Tuesday afternoon…
2025 Illinois measles cases: Health officials declare end of outbreak in southern Illinois

Southern Illinois Measles Outbreak Concludes: Health Officials Announce in 2025

CHICAGO (WLS) — Health officials in Illinois declared an end to an…
Michael Bell fights execution amid witness coercion claims

Lawyers for Michael Bell Submit Appeal to Halt Execution at the Supreme Court

Bell is set to be the 8th inmate on death row to…
Justin Bieber confirms Hailey marriage struggles in album 'Swag'

Justin Bieber Opens Up About Marriage Challenges with Hailey in New Album ‘Swag’

Justin Bieber is hitting rumors head-on. The singer addressed his and Hailey…
State Department firing more than 1,300 employees under President Donald Trump administration plan, officials say

Trump Administration’s Plan Leads to Over 1,300 State Department Employee Dismissals, Officials Report

The State Department is set to terminate over 1,300 employees this Friday…