OCEAN COUNTY – Many residents and commuters are worried as to what the future holds, as the possibility of toll prices increasing on the Parkway and Turnpike may happen.
Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said that with the county’s limited transportation options, commuters will be affected the most if there is an increase in tolls.
Although the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board of Commissioners did not discuss the new amount for tolls, the Board of Freeholders passed a resolution protesting any toll increase on the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike and asked the state to reconsider this plan.
“Ocean County continues to be a growing county in the state and with this growth we need to move people to and from jobs, medical appointments, and recreational activities just to name a few destinations,” Vicari said. “To do this our residents heavily rely on the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike.”
If the tolls were to increase, it would give little benefits to Ocean County residents. Most of the money collected goes to subsidize transportation in northern New Jersey, including rail transit.
“New Jersey has not given Ocean County’s motorists any traveling options,” Vicari said. “This Board has long supported a rail line as a transportation alternative in Ocean County. Yet after years and years of studies, this has not moved forward by the state.”
Vicari is also urging that there needs to be an Ocean County representative on the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board of Commissioners.
“There is currently a seat open on the authority and it should be filled by a representative from Ocean County,” Vicari said. “We have seen in the past, that when someone from the county served on the authority, we have been able to work together to provide needed improvements to our roads and infrastructure. Without a voice, we have taxation without representation.”
The Freeholder Board is also concerned that increasing tolls may impact tourists and visitors.
“Ocean County motorists, based on volume, already pour millions of dollars into the parkway through the toll system,” Vicari said. “Any increase in tolls also will negatively affect the state’s multibillion dollar tourism industry, which is a leading economic engine in Ocean County, providing more than $4.7 billion annually.”
Vicari proposes that the State Legislature should consider a New Jersey income tax deduction for commuters who pay at least $500 in toll costs per year as verified by EZ Pass.
“Instead of asking for more maybe there is something the State can do to help our commuters,” Vicari said. “Clearly most people using the Parkway and Turnpike are doing so to get to and from work. It’s their livelihood and we shouldn’t charge them more for that.”
