The American Trucking Assns. Inc. (ATA), the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Assn. (PMTA), the New Jersey Motor Truck Assn. (NJMTA), and Roadway Express Inc. filed suit Monday challenging toll rate increases
put into place by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission on seven toll bridges that connect Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The suit culminates a nearly year-long effort by the groups to explain to the toll commission why the increases will have a devastating affect on not only the trucking industry, but also on local businesses, jobs and the economy of the area.
"The commission just doesn't get it," said William Canary, ATA president and CEO. "A 180% increase the first year and a 300% increase thereafter will significantly raise freight transportation costs that will worsen the challenging economic conditions already faced by the region. We understand the need for the commission to raise revenues for infrastructure improvements," Canary continued, "but this is too much, too fast. We tried to work with the commission, but they ignored our concerns and left us no choice but to go to court today."
In addition to the adverse economic impact of the increase, the trucking groups claimed that the heightened tolls would cause significant traffic diversions that would cause safety, congestion and infrastructure problems on alternative routes.
The focus of the complaint, filed in the United States District Court in Philadelphia, Pa., was the commission's alleged failure to justify the reasonableness of the level of the toll increase. In particular, the parties charged that the passage of the federal Terrorism Risk Insurance Act eliminates the need for the commission to create a nearly $300-million self-insurance fund, a principal use planned by the commission for the additional revenues generated by the toll increase.
Despite the filing of the litigation, Canary said that the trucking groups remain willing to work with the commission on setting appropriate toll levels. "We stand ready to actively support phased-in toll increases that generate revenues the commission needs without harming the region's economy."