What goes up ... must go up even higher

Someone recently asked me if anyone really needs to “save up” for $2 toll hikes on the George Washington Bridge, connecting New Jersey and New York. Or how about the huge increases that will cost drivers at least $11 to drive a half-hour on the New Jersey Turnpike?

My response was, “They'd better.”

Rarely has there ever been time when virtually every facet of transportation in the New York-New Jersey region — whether it's toll roads, trains or ferry boats — has simultaneously had fare hikes.

But this isn't just a New York City problem. Tolls in Chicago, Indiana and California have had consistent, annual increases. With gas prices going up, too, the potential impact has drivers — particularly suburban parents, commuters or anyone who depends on a car for a living — on edge.

“If I do drive into the city, I have to pay more for tolls — it’s a lot of money,” said Harry Adrian of New Jersey. “I can’t make a decent living.”

The toll hikes will pay for necessary improvements that will expand the system and produce more mass transit options. But all these costs add up, forcing drivers to make decisions they don't want to make.

Now, instead of taking that $1,000 trip to Walt Disney World, maybe drivers put it aside to pay for another $500 a year in tolls. Instead of going out to eat four times a month, they make sure they have enough to cover that $182-a-month E-ZPass bill.

Or maybe they just let their debt pile up, and just use a credit card. Then those payments get higher, and higher. Then what?

Steve Carrellas, a coordinator for the National Motorists Association, noted that many people pay these costs through EZ Pass, which the can pay with their credit card. Cell phone bills can be paid in a similar manner. But those credit card bills can get out-of-reach after months of commuting, or driving kids every weekend to travel soccer games that are 40 miles away.

“I use this expression: It’s like a perfect storm that will take it’s toll,” said Carrellas.

Officials say they want more people using mass transit. But what good is an alternative when it's rarely available?

Transportation has become increasingly vital as society has become more mobile. Commuters are driving farther to get to their jobs. People talk on cell phones. Parents drive their kids to play with others.

Few communities outside of New York City, however, offer the option of taking a subway, or even a bus, to get to supermarkets, playing field and schools. Even if they do have it, how can they transport 10 bags of groceries, children and other items aboard train cars that are routinely crammed?

“It works for people who live or work near a train line, and a station that has parking,” said Carrellas.

As commuting goes, mass transit is not an option for millions of commuters. “I need my car,” said Paul Adams of New Jersey. “I’d love to take the train, but if they can’t have more parking [or more service] then I can’t use it.”

Someday, things will get better. There will be more trains, more buses and more improved mass transit systems nationwide.

Until then, however, my family is not going to give up the mini-van. Having enough space to transport three children, their carry-ons and whatever else must accompany them, is not a convenience. It’s a necessity.

And, of course, we’re going to have to save.