Times Herald-Record
December 14, 2007
By Judy Rife
The Port Authority will hold a public hearing online at 11 a.m. Monday about its proposed toll and fare increases.
The online hearing, the agency's first, will start with a brief presentation about the proposed increases and be followed by an extent period for public comment. Details about participating in the hearing are posted at www.panynj.gov.
The Port Authority has proposed raising peak tolls at the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel and its other crossings to $8 from $6 for cash and to $8 from $5 for E-ZPass.
Fares on the PATH system would jump to $2 from $1.50 one-way and to $60 from $48 for a 40-ride card.
The agency, which hasn't raised tolls and fares since 2001, said the additional revenue is necessary to pay for a new capital plan that will invest $29.5 billion in its bridges, tunnels, airports, ports and PATH system over the next decade.
Commuters and motorists also can comment about the proposed increases on the authority's Web site or at a conventional public hearing. Hearings are scheduled for Dec. 18 in Teaneck, N.J., and Manhattan. Previous hearings were held in Staten Island, Queens, Newark, N.J., and Jersey City, N.J.
The Port Authority's board also will meet Dec. 18 to adopt the 2008 budget. Action on any toll and fare increases will not be considered until early next year, after the hearings conclude and public comments are assessed.