The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey is in the middle of NYC’s current transportation transformation. They built a new Goethals Bridge between Staten Island and New Jersey, rebuilt the roadway of the Bayonne Bridge, and did extensive renovations on the George Washington Bridge. JFK is getting a $13 billion transformation, LGA is in the midst of an $8 billion renovation and EWR’s Terminal One is being redeveloped. They’re also looking at a replacement for the obsolete Port Authority Bus Terminal.
So when the Port Authority suddenly announces proposed plans for toll and fare increases, is anybody really surprised? Raise your hand if you are. Anyone? Bueller?
Here’s the low-down on the proposed increases:
PC: PANYNJ.gov
AirTrain
Currently $5 at JFK and EWR, proposed increase to $7.75
Taxi
Currently $2.50 initial charge/pick up fee, proposed increase to $4.00
Uber/Lyft/Ride Sharing
Currently $2.55 initial charge/pick up fee, proposed increase to $4.00
Tolls at Port Authority Bridges & Tunnels (collected only from eastbound traffic)
Car: (via cash):
— Current On or Off Peak R/T cost is $15, proposed increase to $16
Car (via E-ZPass):
— Current Off Peak costs $10.50, proposed increase to $11.75
— Current Peak R/T cost is $12.50, proposed increase to $13.75
— They’re also proposing that E-ZPass toll discounts be limited to users registered with a New York or New Jersey E-ZPass Customer Service Center accounts (so if you live in Delaware and travel to NYC with your E-ZPass, you wouldn’t get the discount)
PATH Train (these are the trains that connect New York & New Jersey)
Single rider tickets would remain the same at $2.75
SmartLink tickets and multi-day passes would see increases varying from $0.25 to $27
There are other proposed increases, but they would affect locals, rather than visitors.
Their Rationale
Of course, the Port Authority has a huge list of its accomplishments (they call it “Tangible Progress”) and explains how it hasn’t increased this in X number of years, Y in that number of years and the other thing in Z number of years. That being said, I guess I understand their need to increase prices, the same as any other entity needs to.
Public hearings are scheduled in 6 locations in New York and New Jersey in mid and late July, so the public will have its chance to share its views. Yay for democracy but really, the bottom line is you can probably expect to dig a little deeper to pay for that trip to New York pretty soon.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
