The American Automobile Association (AAA) has asked the Dept. of Transportation to oppose the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's recently approved toll and fare hikes, saying that revenues from the increases should not be diverted to projects outside of the PANYNJ's transportation network, including the World Trade Center. The group says it is evaluating legal and other steps to contest the increases, which are set to take effect on Hudson River crossings September 18.
In a letter to Ray LaHood, DOT secretary, AAA New York says that increasing tolls to pay for cost overruns stemming from real estate re-development at WTC violates federal law. The group has asked members to urge government officials to fight the toll hikes.