Toll Increase Pushes Commuters Into Transit

The Port Authority of N.Y & N.J toll increase on Hudson River bridges and tunnels causes a 4% drop in vehicles and 3.7% increase in PATH train ridership despite fare increase; 3/5% increase in E-Z pass usage, and 20% increase in toll revenue.

1 minute read

December 5, 2011, 6:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


"Shifting more transit is definitely a good thing for the economy and the environment," said Veronica Vanterpool, associate director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. In addition, more E-Z pass, or electronic toll collection, reduces the queues at the toll booths. NJ Transit buses also reported slight increases in ridership, though some riders reported significant increases on their buses.

On Sept. 18, 2011, cash tolls rose to $12 from $8 (50%) for the George Washington Bridge, the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, and three crossings between New Jersey and Staten Island. (The toll is collected from cars coming into New York; going to New Jersey is free.)"

"E-ZPass tolls during peak travel times rose to $9.50 from $8 (19%)" with future additional increases approved for both cash and E-Z pass. PATH subway fares rose 25-cents to $2.00 (14%).

"While transit across the region and especially across the Hudson River has seen tremendous growth in ridership, there hasn't been a comparable level of financial investment in transit service", remarked Tri-State's Veronica Vanterpool.

Thanks to Robert Piper

Saturday, December 3, 2011 in The New York Times- N.Y. / Region

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Calvary Street bridge over freeway in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indy Neighborhood Group Builds Temporary Multi-Use Path

Community members, aided in part by funding from the city, repurposed a vehicle lane to create a protected bike and pedestrian path for the summer season.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

Holland Tunnel, vehicular tunnel under Hudson River that connects New York City neighborhood of SoHo in Lower Manhattan to east with Jersey City in New Jersey.

Congestion Pricing Drops Holland Tunnel Delays by 65 Percent

New York City’s contentious tolling program has yielded improved traffic and roughly $100 million in revenue for the MTA.

3 hours ago - Curbed

People walking up and down stairs in New York City subway station.

In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving

Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.

April 18 - Scientific American