New Jerseyans who often travel into Manhattan may want to reconsider their habits, as a recently-approved plan could cost motorists some serious cash – up to $3,000 per year, according to estimates. 

New York City recently received approval to move forward with a plan to slap a surcharge on motorists driving below 61st Street in Manhattan, in an effort to reduce congestion and raise funds for much-needed upgrades to its public transit system. If and when implemented, New York City would be the first city in the United States, and one of only a handful worldwide, to slap such a surcharge, known as congestion pricing, on motorists.

Under the plan as it currently stands, drivers who use the Lincoln and Holland tunnels with have the tolls they pay for the tunnels apply to the surcharge, but those who use the George Washington Bridge will not.

New Jersey Reps. Bill Pascrell and Josh Gottheimer are fighting the congestion pricing plan, and have requested the US Department of Transportation to deny any necessary approvals for the plan to go into effect.

“It’s some sort of sick joke to do this to families in the middle of a pandemic,” said Gottheimer at a press conference in Fort Lee.

Gottheimer noted that, unlike New Yorkers, New Jersey residents don’t have the mass transit options available in NYC, causing congestion pricing to disproportionately affect New Jersey motorists heading into the city.

“We just don’t have the mass transit options. We just don’t have the same level of public transportation in a lot of parts of northern New Jersey,” Gottheimer said. “They have to drive. It’s the only way to do it.”