The ritual of the PA toll hikes

Every few years, when it needs money, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey launches the Sacred Ritual of the Tolls.

First, in a deep and scary voice, the authority announces enormous toll increases, along with a big hike in PATH train fares. Then, as if from on high, the governors of New York and New Jersey descend from their thrones to shield beleaguered commuters. The size of the proposed increases, carefully calibrated to give the governors room to look like good guys, is then reduced. People pay. And life goes on.

The budgetary planets having moved into alignment, the ritual has once again begun. Faced with shortfalls resulting from the economic downturn and higher costs at the World Trade Center site, the Port Authority is seeking sizable increases. The governors will see that they are reduced. People will pay. And life will go on.

Yet it's worth remembering that rituals have their uses, and this one is in a good cause. The Port Authority, which receives no tax revenue, has already tightened its belt, reducing staffing since 2008 to its lowest level in 40 years. Its operating expenses haven't grown for three years running -- and neither have tolls.

Unfortunately, the downturn has meant less commuting, air travel and shipping, which means that revenue from the authority's bridges, tunnels, airports and port facilities has fallen well short of projections. In addition, various delays and security issues have driven up the cost of the World Trade Center reconstruction project billions beyond original estimates.

On top of everything else, the Port Authority needs money to fund the kind of infrastructure projects that keep the region moving. For instance, it wants to spend $1 billion to replace the giant suspension cables on the George Washington Bridge, which hasn't been done since it was built 80 years ago. Another $1.5 billion would pay to replace the notorious helix approach to the Lincoln Tunnel in New Jersey. It's all part of a proposed $33-billion capital plan.

Just how big are the hikes being requested? Round-trip Hudson River car tolls for E-ZPass would rise to $10 off-peak from $6 now, and to $12 at rush hour from $8 now. Cash users would pay $15, which would cut congestion by persuading more of them to adopt E-ZPass. Trucks would get socked even harder, but with big nighttime discounts to encourage them to cross off-hours. The average PATH fare would rise from $1.30 to $2.10.

But don't worry. Most of this money will be paid by New Jerseyans, who make more use of authority crossings and trains. And it's highly unlikely such big increases will take effect. Rest assured that the Port Authority proposal wasn't exactly a shock to Govs. Andrew M. Cuomo and Chris Christie.

And so the ritual unfolds with reassuring familiarity. The authority plans to consider a final toll and fare plan on Aug. 19, by which time Cuomo and Christie can ride to the rescue. More moderate increases will be adopted. Some of the infrastructure plans will go forward. People will pay. And life will go on.