The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s proposed $9.3 billion spending plan includes planes, air trains, automobiles and developing a new Midtown Bus Terminal in Manhattan. To help pay for it all, the agency plans to raise tolls — another 25 cents to take the Air Train and an extra 63 cents at bridge and tunnel crossings, where peak tolls already cost $15.75.
Transit advocate Felicia Parks-Rogers warns the increases don’t include congestion pricing, which will drive tolls even higher. “Get on New Jersey Transit, get on PATH, it’s cheaper. Let’s invest in mass transit so that we don’t have to pay those tolls,” Parks-Rogers said.
“Bus is the majority of New Jersey Transit traffic into Manhattan for daily commuter ridership. We are really excited to see the bus terminal be kind of at the top of the Port Authority priority list because it’s a really needed improvement,” said regional planner Zoe Baldwin.
The Port Authority’s budget for 2024 is $1 billion more than for 2023. It devotes $3.9 billion to operating expenses; $1.8 billion to debt service and $3.6 billion to capital projects. These include developing an optimal design plan for a new Midtown Bus Terminal; replacing PATH’s payment process with a faster, tap-and-go system; updating all three regional airports, and revamping the AirTrain. In addition, it plans to spend almost $1 billion on increased safety and cybersecurity measures. The budget also allots $220 million for climate resiliency and flood mitigation efforts.
People can comment on the budget via the Port Authority’s website, before its board votes on Dec. 14.
