Gov. Chris Christie Says He Still Hasn't Decided On Toll Hike
PRINCETON, NJ (WCBS 880) - The Port Authority board is slated to vote on a massive proposed toll and fare hike. After that, it heads to the governors of New Jersey and New York.
WCBS 880's Levon Putney With The Governor
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Whether he approves of the toll hike or not, Gov. Chris Christie says, "No matter what I do, I'm gonna tick somebody off."
1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reports: What Will Christie Do?
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Christie says he and Gov. Andrew Cuomo will have to decide soon if there's going to be a toll increase, and how much an appropriate increase would be.
"We're not past the first question," he said Wednesday.
He says they understand any increase will be tough on commuters' wallets, however, he adds you can't get anything for nothing.
He says World Trade Center construction, maintaining bridges and tunnels, and other projects costs billions.
"We have to pay for the infrastructure in this state. You want to fix the George Washington Bridge? Then we got to pay for it. You want to rebuild the World Trade Center?," he said.
"What I'm concerned about, what Gov. Cuomo is concerned about is the mismanagement," he says, calling the Port Authority hiding $2 billion in cost overruns in rebuilding the World Trade Center outrageous.
So, his and Cuomo's decision will come with demands for better money management.
The Port Authority has proposed a hike in tolls on all six crossings that would go up by $4 next month and by another $2 in 2014. PATH fares would also go up by $1.
A series of public hearings were held on Tuesday.
Both governors must give final approval to any toll or fare hikes.
How do you feel about the proposed toll and fare hikes? Are they fair? Let us know below!
