Eliminate tolls and put New Jersey DOT in charge of the parkway

As the state Legislature begins to brood over budget difficulties, Citizens Against Tolls is greatly concerned about the waste of multiple millions of dollars spent on collecting Garden State Parkway tolls. These tolls are a tax on all New Jerseyans, whether they use this road or not.

The cost of collectors’ salaries and benefits, management and administration positions, maintenance of 11 toll plazas and over 50 ramp structures and the E-ZPass system all waste millions that could be used elsewhere to close budget gaps. Revenue raised by tolls is less than the cost of toll collection — government inefficiency at its worst.

A solution is at hand if the Legislature institutes an increase in the gas tax.

If 1 cent was dedicated to achieving elimination of parkway tolls, at least $45 million would be raised annually — more than enough to care for parkway operations. Or the parkway could simply become a standard item in the state Department of Transportation budget.

The DOT does a fine job maintaining other major New Jersey roads. Why would it not be capable of caring for the parkway as well?

With tolls gone, the parkway ceases to be a “private” road and would thus be eligible for federal funding, which currently passes New Jersey by.

Good government dictates that state elected officials put an end to perpetuation of the wasteful parkway toll collecting system. The political favors and patronage connected with the system are not a good enough reason to continue to rob New Jersey taxpayers.

Raymond G. Neivel

president

Citizens Against Tolls

Manasquan