Dear Editor:
I urge Jersey City residents to support the Port Authority’s Congestion Pricing Proposal. While news reports have focused on the proposed $7 toll for those paying cash, there is much more to the proposal. The proposal offers discounts to motorists using E-ZPass and encourages travel at non-peak periods to reduce congestion. To further encourage the use of E-ZPass, the toll for drivers paying cash would rise to $7 while off-peak E-ZPass users would still pay $4 at the Holland Tunnel.
The proposal also provides discounts to PATH riders using Quickcard and encourages the use of monthly commuter tickets by offering even greater discounts. The fare for riders paying cash would rise to $2 while commuters with monthly tickets would pay only $1.30 per ride.
The additional funds generated would be used to support PATH system improvements that include a fleet of new cars providing increased capacity and reliability and new PATH signal and fare collection systems that will make PATH more reliable and reduce lines and crowding in stations. The proposed pricing plan strengthens the region’s ability to grow into a hub for international business and travel. Most importantly the program will improve the quality of life for Jersey City residents by reducing both traffic congestion and air pollution and ensuring that Jersey City remains a place where people and businesses want to locate.
As a monthly PATH commuter to Manhattan I would gladly pay an additional 30 cents to hep strengthen and improve our transportation system, reduce congestion and crowding in the stations, and replace cars that are 30 years old. The economic benefits to the region will far exceed the nominal fee increase.
Thomas Gibbons