Toll Hikes At Port Authority Bridges & Tunnels Go Into Effect Sunday
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Drivers using E-ZPass on the trip home from the long Thanksgiving weekend will have to stomach some fare hikes.
Tolls have jumped 75 cents at the Port Authority bridges and tunnels, WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported.
The third of five annual toll hikes is scheduled to go into effect on Sunday at bridges and tunnels.
Traffic guru Sam Schwartz, known as "Gridlock Sam," says peak E-ZPass tolls are going to $11, while the off-peak fare is $9.
Toll Hikes At Port Authority Bridges & Tunnels Go Into Effect Sunday
"That's really effecting our economy," he said. "It makes Staten Island far less competitive then it would be without these regressive tolls."
Businesses will also be affected, Schwartz said. Large trucks will see cash tolls top $100.
More: NJ Lawmakers Vote To Have Cost Of Toll Appear On E-ZPass Display
The increases mean that cars with E-ZPass tags will pay 75 cents more when they cross the George Washington, Bayonne and Goethals bridges and Outerbridge Crossing, or go through the Lincoln and Holland tunnels. Cars paying cash will continue to pay $13.
The heaviest burden will be borne by trucks or towing combinations with six or more axles. Their off-peak E-ZPass rate will rise from $66 to $78 and the peak E-ZPass rate will rise $12 to $84.
The Port Authority has increases lined up each December for the next two years.
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