NJ Budget Passes With Toll Increases: How Much You Can Expect To Pay

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy said he plans to OK the $2.62 billion 2024 budget approved by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority this week, including a 3 percent toll increase on the turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, according to a report.

A spokesman for Murphy told NJ Advance Media the governor would sign off on the budget to "prioritize the safety and mobility of all New Jersey residents and commuters." Murphy previously vetoed the hike on Oct. 26.

The approved budget is nearly identical to the budget vetoed by Murphy last year, reports said, who called the veto a time-out to make an informed decision.

The toll increase will take effect "at a later date" this year, according to the authority's agenda obtained by the Bergen Record.

The hike marks the third time tolls have increased since 2020.

Turnpike Authority spokesperson Tom Feeny told NJ.com that under the new budget, tolls on the Turnpike for passenger vehicles will increase by 15 cents to $5.11. Meanwhile, the average Parkway commuter will pay an extra 5 cents per trip.

If an average commuter drives both ways, five days a week for all 52 weeks of the year, they will pay an extra $78 per year, Feeny told the publication.

State Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco, a Republican, criticized the move in a statement to the Record, calling the toll increase "the latest broken promise by Governor Murphy and fellow Trenton Democrats."

"Democrats continue to talk about affordability to entice hardworking New Jerseyans for their vote and then stick them with the bill for their failing policies and budget mismanagement," Bucco wrote.

Others spoke in favor of the hike before the Turnpike Authority approved the budget, reports said.

"It’s critically important to have reliable and reoccurring revenue for transportation," said Barry Kushnir, Local 194 president of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, according to NJ.com. "We need the revenue to invest in transportation infrastructure. It’s a quality-of-life issue for residents to allow people to get to and from work and family."

The budget's approval comes a week after NJ Transit announced plans to increase fares up to 15percent starting in July.

In December, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority also approved a once-daily toll of $15 for drivers who enter Manhattan below 60th Street during most hours of the day. Commercial trucks will pay as much as $36, while taxis will add $1.25 per fare and ride-hail apps like Uber and Lyft will tack on an extra $2.50 per ride.

Congestion pricing is expected to begin this spring.