Upper Manhattan neighborhoods are quickly transforming into crowded parking zones, just days after the MTA and Governor Hochul implemented congestion pricing. Bridge-and-tunnel commuters are abandoning their cars uptown to avoid the $9 toll, much to the frustration of local residents, The Post reported.

In Washington Heights, community members have expressed their dismay that the already limited curbside parking has become even harder to find. Many now spend hours searching for a spot.

“‘Good luck to everyone,’ that’s what I say,” remarked 36-year-old nurse Thomas Hurt to The Post. “Now [these commuters] are right here along with us, trying to fight it out.”

After finishing his shift at a Montefiore hospital in the Bronx on Wednesday, Hurt circled the streets for two hours in search of parking. He observed at least 20 cars with New Jersey plates occupying spots between West 174th and West 181st streets.

For over a year, residents of neighborhoods outside the 60th Street congestion zone have warned of the impending traffic nightmares and pollution brought on by extra drivers in their areas.

“It’s gotten worse in the past week. A lot of people from Jersey, they take the bridge, park here, and take the subways down,” said Cristian Romarion, 48, a project manager, who was waiting for a spot while double-parking his Jeep Wrangler.

“People fight for parking here… like, physically fight for parking. It’s crazy,” he continued, noting that he’s witnessed altercations “almost every day” since congestion pricing was introduced.

On the Upper West Side, the increasingly intense search for parking has turned the area into what doorman Waddit Cruz described as a “war zone.”

Cruz, 47, who has commuted from Melrose in the Bronx to West 68th Street for 15 years, shared that he used to find three or four available parking spaces when he arrived at 7 a.m. But since January 5, he has had to spend at least 30 minutes each day searching for a spot.

“Since Monday, I haven’t found any spots,” Cruz said. “It’s gonna get worse and worse.”

The outer boroughs are also feeling the squeeze.

“Congestion pricing must be working for the Manhattan elite because it’s sure screwing us,” said Staten Island Councilman Joe Borelli, who has seen a surge in New Jersey drivers taking up parking spots at the Staten Island Railway’s Huguenot Station park and ride.

Upper West Sider Matt Hogan, 62, admitted that a friend from across the Hudson River is part of the problem, contributing to the new parking chaos in the neighborhood.

Rather than driving into the congestion zone for a dinner meet-up, Hogan’s friend planned to park near Hogan’s place on West 73rd Street and West End Avenue, and the two would take the subway together.

“It will be his new route if he’s coming into the city and coming down there,” Hogan said.

“It’s much cheaper than $9.”

{Matzav.com}