Toll Increases Hit NJ Bus Companies

The higher tolls will hurt bus companies, but agencies say riders won't have to pay more.

Wednesday, Sep 7, 2011 | Updated 6:29 AM EDT

Lincoln Tunnel on the NJ side, where buses will be hit with a toll increase on Sept. 18th.

Bus companies are facing higher costs when new tolls take effect at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Hudson River crossings on Sept. 18.

NJ Transit and Paramus-based Coach USA will pay $10 per bus instead of $4. The amount will increase to $13 by 2014.

Mahwah-based ShortLine Bus president George Grieve told The Record newspaper he spends about $300,000 per year in tolls to send buses from New York State and along Route 17 through Bergen County to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Grieve says that cost is going up to $800,000.

NJ Transit estimates bus tolls will more than double to $8.6 million.

NJ Transit spokeswoman Penny Bassett Hackett told the newspaper the agency will not pass on the higher costs to riders.