Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission to hold virtual hearings on proposed 2026 toll increases
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC) has released registration links and call-in numbers for three virtual public hearings next week on a series of proposed toll increases that, if approved, would take effect in 2026.
According to the DRJTBC, individuals must pre-register to speak at one of the three hearings, which will be held via Zoom and teleconferencing.
“People must pre-register in order to speak at one of the three hearings, which will be conducted through the Zoom public meeting online platform and teleconferencing,” the Commission said in a statement.
Those wishing to participate can visit www.drjtbc.org/tollcomments to register for a hearing. Participants must provide their full name, municipality, and state of residence. Those commenting via Zoom must include an email address, while those joining by phone must provide the last four digits of the number they will use.
Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all available slots are filled, and will close at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6.
The hearing schedule is as follows:
- Tuesday, Oct. 7: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 7: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 9: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Each individual will be limited to a three-minute comment at one hearing. The Commission emphasized that hearings are for comments only, not question-and-answer sessions, and anonymous submissions will not be accepted.
The 30-day public comment period began Sept. 18 and will close at 4 p.m. Oct. 17. In addition to the hearings, the public may submit comments through an online form at www.drjtbc.org/proposednewtolls, by email to tollcomments@drjtbc.org, or by mail to the Director of Community Affairs, Jodee Inscho, at the DRJTBC Administration Building, 1199 Woodside Road, Yardley, PA 19067.
Eligible comments will be presented to Commissioners before a final vote on the proposal, which is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 24.
Proposed Toll Changes
The proposed increases would apply uniformly to the Commission’s eight toll bridges:
Trenton-Morrisville (Route 1), Scudder Falls (I-295), New Hope-Lambertville (Route 202), I-78, Easton-Phillipsburg (Route 22), Portland-Columbia (Routes 611, 46, and 94), Delaware Water Gap (I-80), and Milford-Montague (Route 206).
Proposed 2026 rate changes include:
- Passenger vehicle (Class 1) E-ZPass tolls to increase from $1.50 to $2.00.
- Passenger vehicle TOLL BY PLATE tolls to rise from $3.00 to $5.00.
- Class 1 vehicles with a trailer to total $4.00 (E-ZPass) or $7.00 (TOLL BY PLATE).
- Commercial vehicle E-ZPass per-axle rate to increase from $4.50 to $6.50.
- Commercial vehicle TOLL BY PLATE per-axle rate to increase from $5.00 to $8.00.
The DRJTBC said the toll adjustments are necessary to ensure financial stability amid projections of future shortfalls in its reserve balance and debt coverage ratio. The Commission, which receives no state or federal funding, maintains and operates 20 Delaware River crossings, including 12 toll-supported bridges.
If approved, the Commission noted that its toll rates would remain competitive with other regional toll agencies.
