Despite an uproar from commuters, the Delaware River Port Authority doesn't get it.
The agency is poised to push through a hefty toll hike without blinking, or trying to restore the public trust in its spending practices.
In its only concession to fierce public opposition, a DRPA committee last week backed down on a proposal to cut back on senior citizen discounts.
That cleared the way for a vote today by the DRPA's full board on the plan to hike bridge tolls 33 percent to $4 and increase PATCO fares by 10 percent on Sept. 14.
Bridge tolls would jump an additional 25 percent to $5 in 2010, and PATCO fares would go up another 10 percent. Automatic increases tied to inflation will begin in 2013.
The DRPA says the toll hikes are needed to raise $1.1 billion for capital improvements to ensure that its bridges and rail line are adequately maintained.
Everyone wants safe bridges. But doubts remain about the DRPA's fiscal management ability after it spent millions on economic development projects that have little to do with its mission to maintain bridges.
Over the last decade, the DRPA contributed $375 million to development projects, including local sports stadiums and concert venues and, most recently, a soccer stadium complex on the Chester waterfront.
The agency says it will no longer contribute to such development deals, yet it still has $35 million earmarked for that purpose.
Acting board chairman John Estey says the $35 million is a "small amount of money" compared to the DRPA's capital needs. That kind of cavalier attitude shows why the DRPA is in such a financial mess.
No wonder irate commuters voiced strong opposition to the toll hikes at two public hearings last month. But their concerns apparently fell on deaf ears. Hopefully, Gov. Corzine, who has authority to veto any proposed toll hike, is listening.
Before asking commuters to pay higher tolls, the DRPA should take steps to reduce expenses and get its finances in order.
Instead, the agency also plans to phase out its commuter discount by 2010, and double the cost for a senior-discount round-trip fare to $2 on Sept. 14. The finance committee did offer a small crumb by dropping plans to limit senior citizens to a one discount toll per day and eliminate the discount during peak hours. Commuters have a final chance to comment before today's board vote at 10 a.m. at the DRPA headquarters in Camden.
If the hikes go through, remember the DRPA's ultimate power rests with Govs. Corzine and Rendell.