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After Judicial Ruling, M.T.A. Says Congestion Pricing to Begin on Sunday
The decision in a lawsuit brought by the State of New Jersey meant that the tolling plan could go ahead as planned, New York said. A lawyer for New Jersey disagreed.
A federal judge on Monday found that New York had taken most of the necessary steps to enact a plan that charges drivers when entering the center of Manhattan, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it would go into effect on Sunday.
But the judge also ordered federal transportation officials to review and further explain some aspects of the program, known as congestion pricing. And a lawyer for the State of New Jersey, which had sued to block the plan, said the ruling meant it could not be implemented.
Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York called the decision from Judge Leo M. Gordon in U.S. District Court in New Jersey “a massive win for commuters in both New York and New Jersey.”
“Despite the best efforts of the State of New Jersey trying to thwart New York’s ability to reduce congestion on our streets while making long-overdue investments in public transit, our position has prevailed in court on nearly every issue,” she said in a statement, declaring that congestion pricing would proceed as planned.
The 72-page decision from Judge Gordon does not appear to stop New York from going forward with the program while the federal authorities address his concerns.
Still, Randy Mastro, a lawyer representing New Jersey, insisted that the M.T.A. could not proceed, arguing that the ruling actually blocked the plan.
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