Motorists beware. The Port Authority is planning to raise tolls on all bridges and tunnels under it’s jurisdiction. The hikes, which would go into effect in 2020, require approval from the Port Authority’s board before being implemented. The last time the Port Authority raised its toll rates on bridges and tunnels was in 2011.
The Port Authority controls multiple bridges and tunnels connecting New Jersey and New York. They include the Outerbridge, Goethals Bridge, Bayonne Bridge, George Washington Bridge, Holland Tunnel and Lincoln Tunnel. Millions of motorists use these tunnels and bridges each year. Current toll rates are $15 for all Port Authority bridges and tunnels. If the raises are approved, the rates would go up to $16. For motorists that use EZ-Pass, off-peak tolls would go up from $10.50 to $11.75, and $12.50 to $13.75 at peak hours.
The Port Authority, which uses tolls and fees to fund its operations, says the hikes are needed to make necessary improvements at LaGuardia, JFK and Newark airports, including the building of new AirTrains to Newark and LaGuardia. The Port Authority says construction of a new AirTrain would cost over $2 billion. To help pay for these projects, the Port Authority will also be raising the cost of riding an AirTrain from $5 at JFK and $5.50 at Newark, to $7.75 at both airports.
New fees for are also being planned for taxis and ride-sharing vehicles like Uber and Lyft. Taxis would have to pay $4 to pick up passengers at airports, while ride-sharing services would need to pay a $4 fee upon picking up or dropping off passengers at airports.
Tolls were raised in December 2015
Can the Port Authority please explain what they are doing with all the extra money that they making now?
For example.
I have a few accounts with E Z Pass, and in the beginning of every month, they take out about, $3000.00 for what they estimate I will use in that month. And there a thousand of people like me around. What are they doing with that money? They put it in a savings account and get interest on it. And if you add up all the accounts that they are doing it to, they must be making a lot of interest a month.
Also now that they don’t have toll collectors, where is all those savings going to.
And let’s not forget about all the fines they send out.
What a shame!!!!
These NYC Bridges and Tunnels have become UNAFFORDABLE! The Verrazano (a non Port Authority Bridge) Costs a whopping $20 (or more by now) with a increase every year. Now that we lost the Carpool discount on Outerbridge & Goethals the increase will be greatly appreciated! The Port Authority should have other ways to pay for they’re operations other then increasing the bridges and tunnels that are already so expensive.
For all those interested the money is needed for pay raises for the executives running the Port Authority. Not one dollar will be use to upgrade the system.
They raised minimum wage, but then increase all the costs. So the net gain to the employee is zero. Stupid liberal economics.
What with these constant rate hikes? Why don’t they just start charging all motorists $50 for every bridge and tunnel!
If the funds are needed for the airports, raise the taxes on airline tickets and/or charge the airlines and vendors a little more to cover the cost.