by Amtrak7
Proposed fare hikes and toll hikes:
http://www.panynj.gov/press-room/press- ... ne_id=1401
http://www.panynj.gov/press-room/press- ... ne_id=1401
To fund these major transportation and security projects, the Port Authority’s toll/fare proposal calls for:PATH will now be more expensive than MTA.
Tolls for autos using E-ZPass on the Port Authority’s crossings to increase from $6 to $10 roundtrip for off-peak travel and from $8 to $12 in peak hours. An additional $2 increase during peak and off-peak hours will be implemented in 2014.
A cash toll surcharge of $3 to increase the cash rate from $8 to $15 in 2011 for the 25 percent of toll-payers who still use the optional cash system, similar to the MTA. The surcharge is expected to increase the E-ZPass market share to approximately 85 percent, which will reduce travel delays during the peak of traffic congestion by 10 to-20 minutes. The surcharge will increase by an additional $2 in 2014.
Truck tolls per axle using E-ZPass off-peak to increase from $7 to $13 roundtrip and peak from $8 to $14, with an additional $2 per-axle-increase in 2014 for both off-peak and peak hours. A similar cash surcharge of $3 per axle will be applied to trucks in 2011 that continue to use the optional cash system with an additional $2 per axle in 2014.
To further incentivize trucks to cross during the overnight period to reduce congestion during the day, there will be no toll increase on trucks that cross during the overnight discount period and the Port Authority will expand this overnight period an extra two hours each weekday night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m (previously midnight to 6 a.m.). This will result in a 61 percent discount for a typical two-axle truck, which will continue to pay $11 overnight as compared to the $28 toll in 2011 for the same truck using E-ZPass during the peak period. Truck traffic results in the greatest wear and tear on the bridges and tunnels – a fully-loaded tractor trailer causes as much damage to roadway surfaces as 10,000 passenger cars.
Fully preserving the Staten Island Bridge “Discount Plan” for E-ZPass users, giving these frequent users a 50 percent toll discount on the peak E-ZPass toll. In addition, qualified energy efficient vehicles with GreenPasses will see no toll increase during off-peak hours in 2011, and the car-poolers discount rate is preserved in 2011 with a 50 percent discount off the E-ZPass peak hour rate. Both GreenPasses and car-poolers would see a $2 increase in 2014.
The base PATH fare would increase from $1.75 to $2.75 in 2011, with the average fare increasing to $2.10 from $1.30 given the steep 25 percent discount, which will be fully preserved. The 30-day unlimited pass will increase to $89 from $54.