The Jersey Journal
December 17, 2007
By Amy Sara Clark
More than a dozen people braved sleet and snow Thursday night to attend the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's hearing on its proposed toll and PATH fare hikes in the Scott Ring Room at Hudson County Community College.
Speakers included Hoboken City Councilman Peter Cammarano, who said the PATH fare hike would unfairly impact low-income riders and deter people from moving to Hoboken. Cammarano is collecting signatures against the fare increase online at www.stopthefarehike.com.
Peter B. Higgins III of the Harrison Redevelopment Agency was one of those who spoke in favor of the hike, saying his development projects depended on PATH improvements to be funded by the increase.
In November, the Port Authority proposed hiking PATH fares from $1.50 to $2 and cash tolls at its Hudson River and Staten Island crossings from $6 to $8. Peak-hour EZ-Pass discounts would be eliminated.
Port Authority officials said the increases, the first since 2001, are necessary to help fund critical modernization projects.
The Port Authority is accepting written comments at www.panynj.gov.