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Commuters : Can One Man Fix New Jersey’s Trains AND Highways?

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One Leader, Two Agencies: Gov.-Elect Mikie Sherrill Unveils Bold “Unified” NJ Transit Strategy

New Jersey is entering a new era of transportation.

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, In a move that signals a shift in how the Garden State moves, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has announced that Kris Kolluri will lead both NJ Transit and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA).

This rare “dual-hat” appointment aims to break down the silos between the nation’s largest statewide mass transit system and its most iconic toll road entity. Here is what this means for your daily commute, the 2026 World Cup, and the future of New Jersey infrastructure.

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Tolls on NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway Rise

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Starting from Friday, March 1st, commuters traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway will experience an increase in toll rates, with fares for passenger cars going up by 3%.

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Toll Increases Coming for New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Motorists traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway are set to experience a 3% toll hike as the New Jersey Turnpike Authority unanimously approved the 2024 budget, incorporating the toll increase.

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Tolls are going up on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway , Monday!

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photos courtesy of the Bergen County Historical Society

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, tolls are going up on Monday and reminded me of this toll sign from 1802 that’s in our collections. The inventory card notes it’s from the “Bergen Turnpike – Gate 5” and that it was discontinued in 1915. Received from the Board of Freeholders, 31-1/2” H, 25-1/2” W. “Excursions Rate” appears to be painted over and those carrying a heavy load w/2 horses pay more like trucks do today.

Continue reading Tolls are going up on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway , Monday!

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Congressman Van Drew Outraged Over Massive Toll Increases on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Congressman Van Drew expressed his outrage with the decision by Governor Murphy to approve the increase in tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway for the third year in a row.

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Another Massive Increase Coming for New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway Tolls

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, its going to cost you more to flee the Garden State .After back-to-back toll rate increases on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway since September 2020 ,another toll hike starting in 2023 is right around the corner.

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New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway Tolls Going Up January 1st

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, drivers in New Jersey are going to pay in more for tolls, as of January 1st. Last month, the authority that runs the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway approved an increase of 3% to help fund capital projects.

Continue reading New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway Tolls Going Up January 1st

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Port Authority Plans to Jack Up Fares at Bridges, Tunnels And Area Airports

Lincoln Tunnel

the staff of the Ridgewood blog


New York NY, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey record-setting use of its facilities and with major redevelopment projects underway across the region, the Port Authority today advanced to its Board of Commissioners a proposal for the first inflation-based toll increases to the agency’s six bridges and tunnels since 2015 in line with the inflation-adjusted schedule mandated by the Board in 2008 and reaffirmed in 2011. The automatic increases are triggered when the cumulative impact of inflation on existing toll rates reaches $1.00, as measured from the last increase. The cumulative impact of inflation since 2015 will reach this level in 2020, prompting an increase of the cash toll rate at all Port Authority crossings from $15.00 to $16.00, as of January 5, 2020. The proposal also makes changes to three other aspects of the toll schedule: 1) discounts for out-of-state E-ZPass accounts; 2) the NY/NJ Staten Island Bridges discount program; and 3) the Carpool Discount program.

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Reader says NJ Ez pass is a scam

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NJ Ez pass is a scam. My personal experience (I have ny account take was issued before nj had the ezpass ). My account has always been in good standing, automatic credit card reimbursement, etc. I have 4 current tags. I put a tag in my newly obtained vehicle with out of state plates while it was here for a month. The garden state parkway toll in wash twps said “tag not read”. To avoid issues, that plate was added to the account 15 minutes later. I received a violation notice (despite meeting all the criteria for NOT being a violation) demanding 1.50 toll and $50 administration fee. I replied as requested online, on the phone, and using their automated system 11 times. They kept sending their lying bs notice. I finally had the last clerk on the phone admit that “their new system was having problems “. I paid the 1.50 toll with a credit card, and made it clear if she tried to ding me the 50 I would dispute the charge and suggest that the local us attorney investigate their practices. Apparently that is how NJ tries to strong arm payments that ate NOT due from unsuspecting motorists who think they may have a registration revoked (it’s not possible ). NJ EZ pass is a corrupt organization (based on my personal experience) and should be investigated. If it was a private company the executives would be indicted for mail fraud wire fraud and corruption for extorting money from motorists that is not due.

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Will you pay more to travel to parts of Manhattan?

Lincoln Tunnel

Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi , “Under this absolutely inane proposal it would cost a resident of Northern New Jersey $26 in tolls just to drive into midtown Manhattan and return home. When will these politicians understand that we are being taxed out of the region?”

Will you pay more to travel to parts of Manhattan?

Joseph Spector, Albany Bureau Chief Published 12:34 p.m. ET Aug. 14, 2017 | Updated 3:20 p.m. ET Aug. 14, 2017

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday, June 29, 2017, discusses reforms he plans for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which has struggled with growing problems on its subways and trains.Joseph Spector, Albany Bureau

ALBANY – Commuters or visitors to Manhattan may have to pay more in tolls — depending on the route and the time of day.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is warming to the once moribund proposal to install congestion pricing in New York City, a move that would impact the suburbs and upstate travelers.

Cuomo said the proposal, which he is developing, would aim to alleviate traffic in the city and raise revenue to pay for long-term repairs to the troubled Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/politics-on-the-hudson/2017/08/14/you-pay-more-travel-parts-manhattan/104587158/

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Funding approved for new Hudson rail tunnels. Will tolls go up?

Lincoln Tunnel

By Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on October 20, 2016 at 5:58 PM, updated October 20, 2016 at 5:59 PM

Tolls on the Port Authority’s bridges and tunnels will not be increased to help fund construction of new Hudson River rail tunnels, officials said Thursday after approving a financing plan for the Gateway Project.

Authority officials will discuss revising the agency’s 10-year capital plan next month to include Gateway, building a new Port Authority Bus Terminal and replacing the aging Newark Airport Monorail, said John Degnan, the board chairman.

Both Foye and Degnan said revising the capital plan won’t include a toll hike. The last toll hike took place last December as part of an increase that was phased-in over five years.

“The two governors said the Port Authority will take the lead for a financing plan,” Degnan said. “We’re not accepting that the Port Authority will pick-up the entire (local share of costs).”

The federal government and both states have agreed to a 50-50 financing plan for Gateway, but New York and New Jersey officials said they would turn to the Port Authority for some of that funding and to create a development corporation to apply for financing.

https://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2016/10/funding_approved_for_new_hudson_rail_tunnels_but_will_tolls_go_up.html#incart_river_home

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Here’s the new top 10 Port Authority salary list, shaped by Bridgegate scandal

GWB

NEW YORK — The list of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s top 10 highest paid executives has changed dramatically since last year, with several substitutions, raises among most holdovers, and the agency’s head lawyer knocking the executive director off the top spot.

The top 10 list looks at base salaries, a figure that can be deceptive at an agency where some Port Authority Police officers more than double their overall pay with overtime.

And even employees barred from overtime pay, including all 10 executives on the top-10 salary list, can manage to earn more when all payments are factored in.

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/10/port_authority_top_10_salaries_in_2016.html

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Are tolls too high? Moody’s 3 concerns for NJ Turnpike Authority

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Despite increased revenue and a better bond rating, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority has key financial risk, one ratings agency says.

According a Sept. 14 report by Moody’s Investors Service, political interference and toll-wary drivers could put the Authority — which oversees the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike — in a financially precarious situation in the coming years.

The report comes after a year of growth for the Authority, which saw nearly $1.5 billion in revenue between July 2014 and June 2015. During that same period, Moody’s increased its bond rating to “A2,” its highest since the early 2000s.

https://www.app.com/story/news/traffic/commuting/2016/09/22/new-jersey-turnpike-authority-garden-state-parkway-tolls-moodys/90827884/?utm_content=New+Campaign&utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New+Jersey+Politics

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Port Authority Police Catch $30,000 Ticket Scofflaw

Lincoln Tunnel

August 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Jersey City NJ, Port Authority Police Officer Chris Johnson pulled over a car at the Holland Tunnel Tuesday morning and discovered more than $30,000 in unpaid tolls and fees at all three Hudson River crossings, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, according to Port Authority Police spokesman Joseph Pentangelo.

The woman, identified as Shakeema N. North, 38, of Orange NJ, had 5 different EZ pass accounts and $30,000 in unpaid tolls and resulting fees from more than 400 separate incidents of toll evasion,

North was arrested on a charge of theft of services and given a summons requiring her to appear in court next Tuesday.