AAA Sues to Stop New York, New Jersey Toll Hikes
AAA has filed suit in a bid to reverse toll increases that began this month for vehicles crossing into New York City from New Jersey, Bloomberg reported.
The Port of Authority of New York and New Jersey approved a plan on Aug. 19 that will more than double truck tolls by 2015 at tunnels and bridges into New York City.
Under the plan, tolls increased by $2 per axle in September for truckers using E-ZPass. Tolls will continue to climb an additional $2 per axle increase each year from 2012-15. Truckers paying cash have to pay a $3 per axle penalty.
A 5-axle truck using E-ZPass during peak hours will pay $90 to cross in 2015, a 125% increase over the current $40. During off-peak hours, that truck will pay $85, a 143% increase from the current $35.
The Port Authority operates the George Washington Bridge, the Lincoln and Holland tunnels and the three bridges between New Jersey and Staten Island.
In its suit, filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, AAA said the Port Authority is forcing bridge and tunnel users to fund cost overruns and subsidize the reconstruction of the World Trade Center, from which toll payers receive no benefit, Bloomberg said.
The Port Authority said the complaint is without merit, Bloomberg said.
