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hjs, I live five minutes from my job by car... if I walk, it means I'll be stabbed or shot (my friend has already been mugged once there) since it's through one of the most violent neighborhoods in the area. If I drive, it's about five to ten minutes, but I feel every second of it because it's a madhouse. Sure, there's a bus. But it runs only until 7 PM, and I get out of work at 10 PM.

There are FAR too few buses running in northern Jersey, and those that exist simply don't run late enough.

hjs -- your 11211 -- Brooklyn Hgts -- costs more than 1.5 - 3 million for a standard middle class housing for a family of 3 or 4 (which most NJyans are). I'm guessing Paulo would also live in a banker/trust fund kid/lawyer neighborhood if he had the extra $3 mil.

Same w NJ -- under an hour from the city requires annual household income of at least $400 K or your paying more than 33% or your post tax income (which is max suggested house spending).

Also see my reply to your 1st comment (#2) unfortunately it's not as simple as you present it. If it was there'd be no problem obviously.

paulo,
i use nj transit train and the riverline. it's not bad at all.
but more transit is always needed.
maybe u should live closer to your job?

Post #1: Obviously you've never tried to use mass transit in Jersey... it's a nightmare. It's half-assed and incomplete. I hate driving, but our dismal mass transportation system forces me to drive. And I don't mean I hate the idea of spending money on gas, insurance and the pollution the car causes. I mean, I literally hate the act of driving. If there were a practical mass transit system that could get me to work and other places I want to go I would absolutely do it.

Unfortunately, we can't even afford to improve the system.

property taxes are for the million little townshipsin NJ, not for roads.

I wouldn't mind the toll hike as much if they did something to make NJ Transit cheaper, more accessible, and smoother rides.

This would keep cars off the road, and help to reduce statewide emissions.

We’ve been brain washed by the Republican spin machine that we can have anything we want and we don’t have to pay. If we want a fiscally secure state, decent roads and sound bridges to drive on, and all the other services we expect, we have to pay some way. The “road tax” will be hard on some folks, but it’s not an increase in property, sales or income tax.

At some price point, increased tolls will cause some drivers to local streets. This will increase energy consumption through lower gas mileage in stop and go driving. We should be encouraging fuel efficiency.

Raise the taxes 500% percent every year - and subsidize bus and train tickets with surplus, lower tolls for people with hybrids and when the Whitman debt is paid off, keep raising the taxes so people stop burning so much oil.

It's NOT a tax, because a taxis imposed on everyone regardless of use... If we have a fee for using a beach or state park, it is not a tax because non-users don't pay. Also outstaters, i.e. Satan Islanders, pay most of it.

Point TWO: Christine Todd-Whitman is responsible by not paying the Pensions and also by irresponsibly cutting revenues

He should raise gas taxes (NJ has the third lowest in the country) and raise tolls but not as drastically - that would be more equitable and reduce overall driving.

Why increase tolls and put the burden of payment on those who use a few roads? Wouldn't it be more fair to increase the gas tax? Simple formula, $ needed / # gallons gas expected to sell = amt of new tax. This way everyone who buys gas in NJ, &, hence uses the roads, pays for their maintenence.

1. In August 2007 Gov. promised vote on program, yet seems to reject voter approval with State of State comment he wants asset monetization plan resolved by March.

2. Gov. refused to discuss matters pre-November Senate & Assembly election saying plan only feasible if IRS approved tax exemption to issue new debt (issuance only works if refunding net interest cost lower than net interest cost of outstanding debt), but Gov silent on issue in State of State. Furthermore, what is the NIC of debt to be retired?

3. Banks actions in subprime, moving off balance sheet debt loans onto bank balance sheets example of how New Jersey will be held accountable for the liability. Moreover, simply wrong in subprime aftermath to think Moody's and S&P will not factor new risk environment into rating and monitoring all State debt.

4. Don't trust Gov. because he seeks to control all information flow through timing of info releases, who gets info & detail (Lack of technical info on school funding weights is good example). Town Hall meetings appear to be nothing more than continuation of attempt to control the debate. Informed, opposing speakers are necessary for a thorough vetting, but none have been invited to appear with him at Town Hall meetings.

I would gladly pay triple the tolls (and even more than the current $400 monthly train pass) if NJ Transit improved its record of daily delays and canceled trains. Currently train passengers -- at least those which must first switch in Newark, such as the Raritan Valley Line -- require the assumption that the train will be late, and therefore must take an earlier train -- adding another 20 or 30 minutes to the too long process. Modernized public transport would add billions to home values in NJ that are on train lines which presently suck.

PS -- under which governor did this deficit spending get underway? Remind us please who to blame.

HEY new jersey,
if you don't want to pay higher tolls take a bus to work, you selfish people make me ill!