Tolls Increasing At NJ/NY Crossings

For the first time in five years, tolls are increasing at all of the Port Authority’s Hudson River and Staten Island crossings from New Jersey into New York beginning tomorrow night, Sunday, January 5th.

What does this mean for your wallet if you use the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Bayonne Bridge, Outerbridge Crossing or Goethals Bridge?  Here’s the breakdown:

*If  you pay by cash, the toll will increase from $15 to $16, a $1 jump.

*Discounts for E-Z Pass users will also increase.  During peak driving hours the discount will drop from $2.50 to $2.25, meaning the cost will be $13.75.  During off-peak hours, the discount drops from $4.50 to $4.25, meaning it will cost you $11.75 to drive into the Empire State.

*Carpool discounts, which originally were threatened for vehicles of three or more occupants, remain in tact for the moment, but they are also increasing.  On Monday morning the toll jumps from $6.50 to $7.75.   Carpool discounts will disappear in 2021 at the three Hudson River crossings when the GW Bridge and the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels go to cashless toll collections.  This system is currently in place at the Mario Cuomo Bridge, formerly known as the Tappan Zee Bridge, in Rockland County, New York.

It should also be noted that the toll to cross the Delaware River on the bridge which connects to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, is increasing by 6%.