Monday, August 8, 2011

Mo money, mo money, mo money

And all of it yo money.

The Port Authority wants some BIG money and they are planning on getting it from pretty much anyone who takes a train or car or uses a bridge or tunnel from New Jersey to New York and vice-versa. The PA is planning on raising the PATH fare from $1.75 to $2.75 (which would mean for the first time since 1962 PATH would cost more than the MTA Subway across the Hudson). They want to raise bridge and tunnel tolls as well. If you plan ahead and get a monthly unlimited PATH pass they want to raise the prices on those 65%.

Both New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo were said to be blindsided by the huge demand for money and neither have signed off.

Now, what is the reason for the increases? One is infrastructure. New train cars, platform improvements to hold longer trains, tunnel work etc. We're FINE with this kind of rate increase. You get what you pay for. If we want good train and bridge and tunnel service those costs must be paid. Another huge chunk PA wants is for, of course, PROTECTION FROM TERROR MONEY. Of course they want to scare everyone into thinking the next 9/11 is just minutes away. Crap to this money. Ground Zero, the subways and PATH are plenty safe. Lower New York is almost an armed camp. We don't need anymore of this bogus Homeland Security bottomless bag of money. It's now a rathole with ZERO accountability. Try asking and getting an exact reason and where the money will be spent and you'll hear "none of your business citizen, we can't tip our hand to the terrorists lurking on every block."

So if the Port Authority wants to move and ahead with infrastructure money and raise rates SOME, that would be fine. This whole hog approach where security money just gets tossed into the cost with no accountability is NOT fine.

There will be a protest against these new charges tonight beginning at 5:00 pm at Journal Square, go make your voices heard.

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