August 18th, 2008 → 12:15 am @ MReed // No Comments
A perk for the Port Authority employees and retirees that offers free E-Z Pass tags to cross the Hudson River and the Staten Island crossings is taking some heat for offering such a benefit. Many feel the employees should not be paid to go over the bridge to lay on the beach.
This benefit which cost the Port Authority approximately a million dollars last year is actually a pretty standard benefit across the country and the trips that are actually used is only a small fraction of the toll revenues collected every year. The practice has now been negotiated into union contracts and seems to be working well and keeping the employees happier.
Many transportation authorities have been scrutinized for this type of practice over the years because many, just don’t agree that this type of a benefit is a beneficial way to motivate the employees. For example, in New Jersey, the Turnpike employees are only allowed to use free tags while they are on the job. If they use the pass when they are not on the clock they are expected to pay back the funds that are due.
Tags: toll, trucking news