Jersey’s two-bit rip off

When the Port Authority raised fares on its AirTrain service at Kennedy and Newark airports by 25 cents starting Sunday (going up to $8.25), we thought for a few hours that the unfair and unjust Manhattan-only surcharge imposed by NJTransit on Newark Airport trips was ending.

NJT has 155 stations on 10 lines that connect to the airport and since the day that the AirTrain rail link opened, on Oct. 21, 2001, the fare for 154 of them has been the normal NJT fare to Newark Penn Station or North Elizabeth (depending on direction) plus the PA’s AirTrain fee.

The one exception has always been Penn Station in Manhattan, NJT’s busiest stop and the top destination and origin for Newark AirTrain passengers. At first, the Manhattan extra charge was $2, then it climbed to $4, despite complaints from this column and New York pols. Finally, in 2010, Gov. Chris Christie knocked the penalty down to 25 cents. Better, but still not right. And don’t tell us that a quarter doesn’t matter; otherwise, why did PA just tack on its own additional quarter if it was such a trifling sum?

Our reason to believe that that the penalty was gone was because on Monday NJT’s online ticket pricing showed the Manhattan/airport fare was $15.50, which is the Manhattan/North Elizabeth $7.25 fare plus the PA’s new $8.25 for the AirTrain. We checked it again and again. We then asked the Port and NJT and soon enough NJT updated their computers and the fare listed as $15.75, continuing their extra reach into New Yorkers’ pockets.

The legal carriage rate is $15.50 and anyone can pay that amount by buying two separate tickets (a ticket to North Elizabeth and an AirTrain ticket). Gov. Phil Murphy should be a fair guy and stop this after more than 20 years. To urge him along to finally get equal treatment for New Yorkers, Gov. Hochul should give him a call. She often talks about her partnership with Jersey. Partners shouldn’t be stealing from the other’s constituents.