Rudder calls for end to E-ZPass abuse: Calls for port authorities to discontinue current policy

Assemblyman Scott Rudder, a member of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, today called on the commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Delaware River Port Authority to end the practice of providing free E-ZPass access to employees and retirees.

       “This brash abuse is a betrayal of the public trust. It is unconscionable that the people who are raising the tolls are exempting themselves from the pain of those very toll increases,” said Assemblyman Rudder.  

“The people in New Jersey are not commuting for free, and it is arrogant to expect this special treatment for the friends and employees of these authorities,” Assemblyman Rudder continued. “Before we raise the tolls for drivers who are paying their own way, we have to stop this unfair policy.”

Today, in letters to John Matheussen (Chief Executive Officer of the Delaware River Port Authority) and Christopher Ward (Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey), the 8th District Legislators requested a full accounting of the use of free E-ZPass access by employees, retirees and others associated with the authorities.

“We call on all the commissioners to lead by example, renounce this practice of 'free passage,' and turn in their E-ZPass units. We ask them to end the abuse and restrict the use of free E-ZPass to essential business, only,” Assemblyman Rudder stated.  

In the letter, Assemblyman Rudder requested:

*    A list of all commissioners, employees, retirees and others with access to free E-ZPass, tokens or other “no-toll” authorization, and their status with the authority  

*    An accounting of all commissioners, employees, retirees and others who have been issued multiple free E-ZPass units

*    A comprehensive breakdown of E-ZPass usage, by individual

*    A total dollar amount of revenue by-passed by use of free E-ZPass

 *    The rules and regulations regarding the appropriate use of free E-ZPass 

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August 13, 2008

Christopher Ward                                                                                

Executive Director

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

225 Park Avenue South

15th Floor

New York, NY 10003-1604

Dear Mr. Ward:

 I am shocked that months after the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey toll increase took effect, certain drivers with a connection to the authority are permitted to pass through the toll booths without paying.

While families are struggling with high fuel costs and facing toll increases, it is unconscionable that PANYNJ employees, retirees and others are allowed to pass through the tolls for personal travel at no cost.

I respectfully urge you to take steps to address this troubling policy and end this abuse.

I ask that the commissioners take the lead by relinquishing their E-ZPass units and restricting the practice of free passage through the tolls to business use only.

Furthermore, I am requesting the following information:

      *    A list of all commissioners, employees, retirees and others with access to free E-ZPass, tokens or other “no-toll” authorization, and their status with the authority

      *    An accounting of all commissioners, employees, retirees and others who have been issued multiple free E-ZPass units

      *    A comprehensive breakdown of E-ZPass usage, by individual

      *    A total dollar amount of revenue by-passed by use of free E-ZPass

      *    The rules and regulations regarding the appropriate use of free E-ZPass

If you would like to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (609) 654-1498.

Sincerely,

SCOTT RUDDER

Assemblyman