New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says his reaction to the Port Authority's plan to steeply hike PATH train fares and bridge and tunnel tolls was: "you're kidding, right?"
Christie said Monday that he didn't learn of the plan until last week, and said neither he nor New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed off on the proposal. He ducked questions about rumors that both governors knew about the proposal well before it was announced.
Under the plan announced Friday, peak tolls for E-ZPass drivers on Port Authority crossings would increase from $8 to $12 next month, and off-peak would go from $6 to $10. In 2014, both those tolls would increase another $2.
Drivers who pay cash would see a hike from $8 to $15 this year, and that would also increase by $2 in 2014.
The PATH fare is set to rise from $1.75 to $2.75, and the 30-day unlimited pass would shoot up from $54 to $89.
The Jersey Journal reports that a protest of the plan is planned Monday evening at the Journal Square PATH station.
The Port Authority blamed its budget woes on various factors, including the costly $11 billion project to rebuild the World Trade Center, and increasing security costs at its facilities since Sept. 11.
The recession also "sharply decreased revenue below projections," the agency said. Revenue declined $2.6 billion below estimates, and some $5 million in projects have had to be cut, the Port said.
Christie said he blames former governors Jon Corzine, David Paterson "and to some extent Mayor Bloomberg" for not paying more attention to the costs of rebuilding at ground zero.
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The Port's board of commissioners will consider the toll and fare plan at a meeting on Aug. 19.
Christie said he and Cuomo are seeking more information before that vote.
