New Jersey pilot program testing alternative to gas tax. Volunteers can earn up to $100

TRENTON, New Jersey (WPVI) — A brand new pilot program is asking New Jersey drivers to trace their mileage to discover a brand new means of funding roads and bridges.

Officers are exploring whether or not a mileage-based payment would work higher than a state fuel tax.

“This can be a knowledge assortment train,” mentioned Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, commissioner of the New Jersey Division of Transportation. “No choices are being made for New Jersey about how we’ll fund transportation. However with out knowledge, we won’t make good choices.”

And to get that knowledge, about 400 drivers are plugging a small machine underneath their dashboards to maintain monitor of how far they drive.

There’s an choice that might enable GPS or a mileage-only choice.

For 3 months, miles shall be counted after which the machine is returned.

Volunteers can earn as much as $100, they usually’ll discover out their remaining mileage tally.

“They will perceive the distinction that in the event that they paid gasoline tax, they might’ve paid one quantity. In the event that they paid a mileage-based person payment, they might’ve paid the opposite,” mentioned Gutierrez-Scaccetti.

Drivers all for volunteering can click on right here.

Volunteers should register earlier than midnight on August 31.

New Jersey officers say as electrical automobiles rise in reputation, a mileage-based payment could also be extra dependable to fund and restore roads and bridges.

The commissioner mentioned a number of states are already utilizing a mileage-based person payment on a voluntary foundation.

SEE ALSO: New Jersey’s fuel tax to fall a penny a gallon on October 1

Evaluations have been combined when Motion Information requested drivers concerning the thought.

“I feel it will most likely be a good suggestion when you do not journey an excessive amount of,” mentioned Dale Donnelly of Willingboro, who mentioned she would possible profit from a mileage-based system.

“They’re infringing an excessive amount of into our enterprise primarily and I feel it will find yourself costing way more,” mentioned Elizabeth Powers of Riverside, who would relatively keep on with a fuel tax.

“I am an Instacart employee, so I do quite a lot of driving. So if I pay per mile, I would be paying way more cash,” mentioned Bernard Savage of Burlington.

Officers stress that is nonetheless within the exploratory part.

Laws must be handed and a invoice signed by the governor for something to grow to be official.

Knowledge from this pilot program needs to be out there early subsequent yr.