According to the new fiscal year budget of $2.62 billion approved by the New Jersey Turnpike Transportation Corporation’s board of directors on the 24th, tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway will increase by 3% from January 1 next year. As a result, New Jersey highway toll increases have continued for four consecutive years since 2020.
This is because the New Jersey Turnpike Transportation Corporation passed a toll increase plan in 2020 and decided to increase the toll fee by up to 3% annually in line with the inflation rate starting from 2022. The Port Authority’s position is that an increase in toll fees is necessary to expand employee labor costs.
However, as tolls rise every year, residents’ dissatisfaction is increasing. Political circles, aware of the negative public opinion, also began to voice criticism, and in particular, State Senate Speaker Nick Scurratti and Assembly Speaker Greg Coughlin issued a statement requesting Governor Phil Murphy to withdraw the toll increase.
Their position is, “Investment in transportation infrastructure is important, but it is necessary to ease the economic burden on residents suffering from high inflation rates.”
Since Governor Murphy has the power to veto the Turnpike Authority’s decisions, he can cancel this toll increase. However, Governor Murphy is not taking a special position on the request from the state legislature.