Commuting in the Garden State will become more expensive starting in 2025. On Jan. 1, tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway will rise 3%. That translates to a 16-cent increase for an average trip within the state. But, drivers traveling significant distances will pay a lot more because longer trips cost more in tolls. In addition to the toll hike, a 2.6 cent per gallon gas tax increase also takes effect on New Year’s Day.
Rutgers University economist James Hughes, dean emeritus of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, said over the past two years, lower-income residents were saved from rate hikes because federal rescue funds allowed NJ Transit to operate without fare increases during the height of the pandemic.
“But that cushion is now wearing out,” he said.
Hughes said these higher transportation costs strain commuters, but they are necessary. NJ Transit has been underfunded for years, and the agency has a lot of old equipment that must be replaced.
“And then the state highway system is also aging,” he said. “It’s far older in many cases than the Parkway and the Turnpike, so there’s a desperate need for more funding just to keep the system going.”