Governors Cuomo and Christie amend Port Authority toll hike to $1.50

An extra toll of $1.50 will be charged from commuters crossing bridges and burrows of E-ZPass, stretching from New York to New Jersey. The hike will be levied next month onwards and subsequently an additional 75 cents per hike between 2012 and 2015 will follow.

An overall toll increase of $4.50 over the next five years is scheduled in the new Port Authority toll hike by the governors of New York and New Jersey. However, cash payers would be liable to pay an additional $2 during the same term of 2012-2015.

PATH tolls for one-way would increase amid 2012-2015 to make the total sum of $1, declared the governors.

The resolve was made public through an authorized letter issued directly to the chairman and vice chairman of the Port authority. The proposal awaits voting by the Port Authority Board of Commissioners which is scheduled for Friday morning.

Proposal pulls both support and opposition
Since the initial proposal of the toll hike, which was voided by the most recent one, pulled a lot of criticism with Democratic functionaries clearly condemning it.

Contradictorily, the proposal got support from big industrial units and labor unions as the tolls, which are utilized for the building projects, will benefit unions and industries.

Representative John McKeon, an Essex Democrat and also the deputy speaker, said the projects are inappropriately favored by the governors.

As per McKeon’s statement the toll hikes barely bring any relief to the clogged commute system of New Jersey. "All this does… is give Jersey commuters the same-old same-old for more money.” said McKeon on this occasion.

Charges on Port Authority over fund wastage
The letter noted that the amended proposal would be sanctioned only once the audit of the bistate agency’s finances will be approved by the Port Authority.

Since, previously this year Port Authority faced severe criticism from New York State comptroller over wasting huge money on consultants’ deals and employee overtime.