Port Authority to vote on toll increase

  Eyewitness News

NEWARK (WABC) -- More than half a million people who commute between New York and New Jersey by car or PATH train could get an unwanted New Year's gift.

The board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is scheduled to vote next Friday, January 4th, on a proposal to raise tolls by 33 percent.

The Port Authority, which owns six bridges and tunnels that link the two states, wants to raise rush-hour tolls on the crossings from $6 to $8. Fares on PATH commuter trains would increase from $1.50 to $2.

More than 120 million drivers cross Port Authority bridges and tunnels each year, and about 227,000 passengers take the PATH trains every day.

The Port Authority has been taking public comments on the fare and toll increases through a series of public meetings said Steve Sigmund, chief of government and public affairs.

He said the board will consider a final proposal next week and there could be changes based on the public comments received.

"It's never easy to ask people to pay more, but we think that with a $30 billion capital investment program that improves security, keeps our crossings in good repair, and finally builds the projects this region has been putting off for a generation, that our customers will get a lot for their money," he said.

Commuters who take NJ Transit already experienced a fare hike in June of nearly 10 percent.

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