New York approves transit toll hikes

The 1698 Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has approved a package of toll and fare hikes to raise funds for large-scale improvements.

Executive director Rick Cotton says: "We don't want to impose increases. But we must, on the other hand, support investment in our ageing, legacy facilities. Our infrastructure facilities are, simply, sub-par."

A report in <%$Linker:2External<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary />000link-external CTPost falsehttps://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Toll-fare-hikes-on-tap-at-Port-Authority-board-14469539.phpfalsefalse%>suggests the major projects include upgrades of LaGuardia, JFK and Newark Liberty airports, a new AirTrain serving LaGuardia and a new monorail at Newark - plus a replacement of the Port Authority bus terminal in New York.

For bridges and tunnels connecting New York and New Jersey, people will pay an extra $1.00 from January. E-ZPass discounts will be reduced by 25 cents and carpool discounts will be obsolete. Bus tolls will rise $1.00 while the discount bridge toll rate for those living in Staten Island will increase 60 cents to $6.88.

Single trips on the PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) rail will remain $2.75, but the 10-, 20- and 40-trip discount of $2.10 will increase to $2.50 in November and to $2.60 a year later. Additionally, air trains would rise from $5.00 at JFK airport and $5.50 from Newark airport to $7.75.  

Pick-up and drop-off fees to airports will cost $2.59 for app-based vehicles and $1.25 for taxis.