New Jerseyans urged to participate in fuel tax pilot program

© Shutterstock

Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) commissioner, and the Eastern Transportation Coalition are urging residents to participate in the Mileage-Based User Fee (MBUF) Pilot Program.

New Jersey currently funds transportation infrastructure largely from a fuel tax paid on each gallon of gasoline. This system will be harder to maintain in the future because newer vehicles travel farther on less fuel and some vehicles use no gasoline.

A MBUF means drivers pay based on miles driven regardless of the type of vehicle. All New Jersey residents with a valid driver’s license and a vehicle can participate in the pilot program.

Interested residents must register online. Each participant will be given a small device to plug into a vehicle that records mileage. After a few months, the participant will mail the device back.

Participants may be paid up to $100. They also have the opportunity to help policy makers explore potential alternatives to the fuel tax.

State employees who participate are not eligible for payment.

The state has privacy protection measures in place to safeguard personal data.

The state anticipates programs like MBUF and the transition to electric vehicles will
accelerate the shift from fossil fuel dependency to clean energy, which will help the environment.