Port Authority holds public hearing over possible fare hikes

There was not much of a showing this morning after New Jersey residents were able to chime in on the conversation over a possible Port Authority toll increase.
The second of six public hearings took place this morning concerning possible Port Authority fare hikes.

According to Port Authority officials, the need for an increase is due to inflation, and to help close a $288 million gap on a proposed increase to the bi-state agency's 10-year capital plan.
Under the proposal, cash tolls on the Port Authority's four bridges and two tunnels would go up $1 to $16.
EZ pass rates would rise $1.25.
The AirTrains at Newark and JFK airports would go up to $7.75.
Taxis and app-based car services would be charged $4 for each fare picked up at one of the airports, and the app-based services would be charged the same rate for each drop-off.
There will be no increase to the single-ride PATH fare of $2.75, but unlimited 30-day passes would increase to $106 in November 2019 and $110.25 in November 2020.
"These investments into the infrastructure and the capital plan will provide good,” says Justin Ballantine, Carpenters’ Union Spokesman. “I'll hang for jobs thousands of good paying jobs and ultimately that will affect all the local economies in our region and will allow a lot of job opportunities going forward.”
If you can't make a meeting, public remarks can be made on the Port Authority's website starting Thursday.
There is another public hearing tomorrow night in Elizabeth.

For more information, click here.