NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Starting Sunday commuters traveling between New York City and New Jersey will have to pay an increased fare, the first hike by the Port Authority in over a decade.
Fares for one-way trips have gone up 25 cents, bumping the $2.75 fee established in October 2014 to $3.
For those using a SmartLink Card, on which customers can buy multiple trips, the increase is only 10 cents. The 10 trip card, 20 trip card and 40 trip card will now come out to $28.50, $57 and $114, respectively, meaning commuters are shelling out only $2.85 per trip.
SmartLink Cards can be purchased online or at certain PATH stations.
Seniors will also receive a 50% discount, with a one-way trip costing only $1.50. Disabled riders are also eligible for a half-off discount.
The Port Authority said that the increase is due partially due to inflation and partially to make up for $3 billion lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, and vowed to use the increased funds for capital improvements.
Matthew spoke to 1010 WINS at the 33rd Street and Sixth Avenue PATH station in Midtown and said that he hopes the money will turn into something tangible for commuters.
“It’s not a surprise that prices are going up. Tariffs force all the prices to go up on everything, but this was something that was a long time in the making,” he said. “And let’s just hope that they use the money towards something that will give back to the people that take this every single day.”
One suggestion he made to the Port Authority was to focus on accessibility.
“You see moms with strollers, you see people in wheelchairs, or you just see people that are pushing big carts, you know, maybe they just went food shopping, and they got no way to get upstairs,” he said.
Patrons in Midtown seemed to be paying the higher fee without fuss, and Carl told 1010 WINS that while he would hope improvements are to come, he’s not confident.