Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey and Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York have both expressed concern about the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s proposed 50 percent increase in bridge and tunnel tolls — from $8 to $12 as soon as next month, with another $2 jump in three years. Mr. Cuomo called the increase a “nonstarter” but promised to study it. Mr. Christie said his first reaction was: “You’re kidding, right?”
It is hard to imagine that either governor was taken by surprise because the two officials essentially control the authority, which manages not only bridges and tunnels but also the area’s ports, airports and the former World Trade Center site. Let’s hope this is nothing more than the usual gubernatorial theatrics because the authority has a challenging agenda and needs help.
The authority has come a long way from its highly politicized past and in recent years has streamlined operations and trimmed personnel — 12.5 percent in 7 years. Yet it has suffered financially as the economy weakened and fewer people commuted to Manhattan. Additional revenues would help the authority protect its bond rating and pay for a $33 billion, 10-year capital plan. That, in turn, would make possible a host of critically important projects: finishing the public works part of the World Trade Center site by 2015; replacing the suspender ropes on the 80-year-old George Washington Bridge and the spiral roadway that leads to the Lincoln Tunnel in New Jersey; enhancing security at regional airports; maintaining a transportation network that feeds the entire region.
The authority’s board is expected to vote next week on these increases. Either governor can veto the whole package, a move that would be certain to gain headlines at the expense of the entire region. A better choice would be a $2 increase now for most cars and another $2 increase in 2014. Instead of hitting PATH riders with an immediate $1 increase in the base fare (to $2.75), the authority should phase it in over the next few years. That would spare commuters. It should also work politically for the governors.
It is hard to imagine that either governor was taken by surprise because the two officials essentially control the authority, which manages not only bridges and tunnels but also the area’s ports, airports and the former World Trade Center site. Let’s hope this is nothing more than the usual gubernatorial theatrics because the authority has a challenging agenda and needs help.
The authority has come a long way from its highly politicized past and in recent years has streamlined operations and trimmed personnel — 12.5 percent in 7 years. Yet it has suffered financially as the economy weakened and fewer people commuted to Manhattan. Additional revenues would help the authority protect its bond rating and pay for a $33 billion, 10-year capital plan. That, in turn, would make possible a host of critically important projects: finishing the public works part of the World Trade Center site by 2015; replacing the suspender ropes on the 80-year-old George Washington Bridge and the spiral roadway that leads to the Lincoln Tunnel in New Jersey; enhancing security at regional airports; maintaining a transportation network that feeds the entire region.
The authority’s board is expected to vote next week on these increases. Either governor can veto the whole package, a move that would be certain to gain headlines at the expense of the entire region. A better choice would be a $2 increase now for most cars and another $2 increase in 2014. Instead of hitting PATH riders with an immediate $1 increase in the base fare (to $2.75), the authority should phase it in over the next few years. That would spare commuters. It should also work politically for the governors.
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