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Comments Presented on the Behalf of the Members of the NJMTA
In the midst of the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression your proposed toll increase is extreme and will have a devastating impact on businesses and the residents of this region. Tuesday, August 16, 2011 In the midst of the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression your proposed toll increase is extreme and will have a devastating impact on businesses and the residents of this region. The 2008 PANYNJ 75% toll increase was supposed to have covered additional security costs and a 10 year (2007-2016) $30 billion capital plan of which $24 billion was unrelated to toll facilities and $6 billion was designated for toll facility upgrades. Now three years later, you are seeking truck toll increases from 75%-113% followed in 2014 by another increase of 12%-36%. The reason for the increase is to cover escalating security costs and now a $33 billion capital plan of which $29.5 billion is for non-toll facility projects and $3.5 billion is allocated to toll facility projects. The PANYNJ also indicated that the increase is needed due to “a historic economic recession during which the agency’s revenue declined $2.6 billion from projections made when the agency’s original ten-year capital plan was sized”. The trucking industry along with most businesses in the private sector has suffered significant revenue losses from this historic economic recession. We have had to cut back on expenses and have had to lay-off employees. Our businesses have been further strained by ever increasing fuel costs, many new costly regulations and more regulations are coming down the road. Most trucking companies operate with annual contracts. A few may have the option of raising rates based on toll increases, but for the majority, they may be forced to absorb the increase until the next contract. Many will simply decide not to deliver to NYC while others will close, eliminating jobs. We have members who pay $100,000 plus a year to the PANYNJ. Imagine the impact of such an increase on a business’s budget especially in view of the current economic conditions. Each day trucks from New Jersey deliver the food and supplies needed in NYC. This increase is going to place an unfair burden on the New Jersey trucking industry and will ultimately increase the costs of even the most basic staples such as bread and milk. It is unfortunate that for decades decisions were made that have led to the financial crisis facing almost every aspect of government today, including the PANYNJ. Unfortunately, based on the Port Authority’s plan the toll payers will only get $3.5 billion in upgrades to the tolled facilities we use while $29.5 billion will be spent on other non-tolled projects. What’s worse is the fact that we do not have a choice of routing nor a choice of travel time as it is our customers that control our schedules. We recommend the following: • Conduct a complete audit of the PANYNJ operations including justification for the high salaries. Since the PANYNJ is using the public’s hard earned dollars they should be held to an even higher standard. • Review the PANYNJ’s proposed projects and determine which ones can be put on hold or delayed until the economy improves so tolls won’t have to be raised • Restrict the PANYNJ to maintaining or upgrading only transportation infrastructures. They should not be in the real estate business. • The PANYNJ board of directors should include representatives from the trucking industry and the commuting public. After all, it is our toll dollars being used to finance the Port Authority’s projects and operations • Trucking companies should be given volume discounts similar to the NJ Turnpike Authority’s truck discount plan so that the sheer volume of New Jersey truckers that must use the PANYNJ’s facilities to deliver goods are not disproportionately paying for PANYNJ’s budget woes. We would recommend the BEST PASS trucker discount program (used by the Turnpike Authority). See www.bestpass.com • Trucking companies investing in “green” trucks which cost $110,000- $140,000 each should be given a discount similar to the “green” cars discount (trucks with heavy-duty engine years 2007 and newer) The trucking industry has never shrugged from paying its fair share to maintain the infrastructures we use. At the rates trucks have been paying, the George Washington Bridge could have been gold-plated! The tolls in this region are costing us our businesses and hurting the residents of this region. At the end of the day we will all be paying a hefty toll (tax). |
Message from the President- February 2011 I recently had the privilege of representing the NJMTA at a reception held at the Governor's residence Drumthwacket. We were invited due to the generosity of two of our members, Lacey's Express, Inc. and National Retail Systems, Inc. who responded to a request for tractor donations Message From President - January 2011 As I prepared to write my first article for the NJMTA membership as the acting President, my thoughts are focused on the recent tragedy that occurred in Arizona where a Congressman was seriously wounded and 6 others murdered at a political rally. I find myself asking just what is happening to our country.
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