Port Authority toll hike: theatrics & reactions

by: Rosi Efthim

Wed Aug 17, 2011 at 10:44:12 AM EDT

First, we had Gov. Christie's seemingly startled response to the whopping toll & fare hike proposal from Port Authority. Christie: "You're kidding, right?"

Next, came the inevitable: truth out; Christie knew for months the toll hike was coming. Sometimes, the theatrics fail.

Then, the theatrics behind the theatrics. Port Authority announces a huge spike in fares. New Jersey goes ballistic. Christie, and his sometimes brother-Governor Cuomo, step in like heroes to keep the increases affordable for already-strapped commuters. All kinds of political cover, with a Jersey bonus of making a governor with a rep of screwing the little guy to pad the rich guy's cushion, look like he gives a damn about you ... after all.

Theater or not, yesterday's blitz of public hearings - 8 of them, announced just hours in advance - brought out some strong reactions. Some serious hell's being raised, hard questions asked, and some mighty confused commuters are probably still trying to locate some of Port Authority's more "obscure" (as Sierra Club called them) hearing sites.

Jump for the details.

Rosi Efthim :: Port Authority toll hike: theatrics & reactions

Senator Bob Menendez sent a statement, read at the Jersey City hearing, expressing his concern about how a 50% toll increase and $1 fare increase would hurt working families, unemployed people and small businesses. Menendez pointed out the George Washington Bridge is less than 1 mile long; you'd be paying $15 to cross it. Apply that rate to the NJ Turnpike and would cost over $2,000 to drive the length of the state. Menendez is calling for a full, independently monitored audit. He wants to know: How did the Authority suddenly find itself in such a financial hole?

Loretta Weinberg sent a letter to Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni - her former colleague in the NJ Senate. She's unhappy with PA's lack of transpareny.. She represents Bergen County; that's where a lot of NYC commuters live. She wants a hearing in her legislative district, announced in advance and convenient to most people's work schedule. She offered Baroni to arrange the location free of charge.

Sierra Club sent an antagonized news release, charging the hike won't increase services, help the people of NJ and the region get to work, or solve the state's transportation needs, but will simply charge more money to be stuck in traffic even longer. They call this an "attack" on commuters, and New Jersey's working and middle class: "Before we raise fares we should go after the people who make more than our Governor or even double what our Governor makes."

For many union construction workers, it must also be said, this increase means jobs, and many of the voices supporting it look ahead to projects like replacing suspension cables on the GWB.