Driving into Manhattan from New Jersey is about to get even more expensive

If last year's talks about congestion pricing gave you multiple migraines, you're not alone: there have been so many changes and updates to the original plan that we can hardly keep up with it all. But the much-dreaded, much-debated fee is finally arriving at the top of next week, January 6—even though a New Jersey judge just asked New York to delay the plan yet again.

Whether or not further delays will impact the plan is yet to be seen, but there is another toll you should be watching out for next week: Port Authority is implementing a price hike of its own on the same day that congestion pricing is scheduled to go into effect, upping fees by less than a dollar. 

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Granted, this toll increase is much more meager than the $9 price hike that will come with congestion pricing, but it will certainly impact folks' desire to drive from Manhattan to New Jersey and viceversa.

Port Authority is upping the fee for E-ZPass holders crossing any of its bridges and tunnels by 68 cents, or from $15.38 to $16.06 during peak hours and from $13.38 to $14.06 during off-peak hours, according to Gothamist. 

However, anyone entering Manhattan by way of the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels with an E-ZPass will also receive a $3 credit to offset congestion pricing, making the total maximum price to drive into the city through one of the tunnels $22.06.

The changes come in the shadows of the most dreaded price hike of all (for now): the anticipated $15 congestion pricing fee expected to go into effect in 2031.   

Although car commuters will absorb the brunt of congestion pricing costs—a toll that is primarily meant to fund upgrades to public transit—train commuters won't be completely spared either. PATH train rides will now cost $3 instead of $2.75. The MTA will also likely increase the price of a single ride on the subway from $2.90 to $3 by summertime. 

If we have learned anything throughout the past few months, though, is that last-minute changes are always a possibility. So keep your ear to the ground: you never know what is going to happen!