Trenton, NJ – New Jersey Assemblyman Bob Auth has introduced a bill aimed at increasing transparency regarding toll charges on the state’s major highways. With toll increases on the horizon, Auth’s bill (A395) mandates that the amounts collected via EZ-Pass be electronically displayed in every lane of toll plazas on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway.
This requirement, however, does not extend to cash payments and high-speed EZ-Pass-only lanes.
Auth, a Republican representing Bergen County, expressed concern that continuous toll hikes are being implemented without motorists being fully aware of the costs.
He stated, “The governor and Authority keep increasing the tolls with impunity because drivers aren’t cognizant of what the fees are. They simply get an acknowledgment ‘toll paid.’” His bill aims to make drivers more aware of the fees they are paying, potentially leading to increased resistance to future toll hikes.
Governor Phil Murphy, after initially vetoing the proposal in October, indicated his approval for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s (NJTA) $2.6 billion budget, which includes a 3% toll increase on both the Turnpike and Parkway. This marks the third toll increase approved by the governor since 2020, cumulatively adding approximately $78 to the average commuter’s travel costs for this round.
The toll increase is set to take effect on March 1. Auth highlighted the broader impact of these increases, saying, “It might not seem like much, but how many loaves of bread or gallons of milk can a family buy with $80 that now has to go to traveling costs.” He emphasized the financial burden these hikes impose on New Jersey’s working families, particularly in the post-election period when such concerns are not at the forefront of bureaucrats’ minds.