The money hike affects Commuter Students and Faculty Members

Many students have decided to attend the University of Bridgeport for a number of reasons.  A majority of the UB community travel home on weekends and some are able to commute, therefore saving money. However; there seems to be a glitch in the system of saving money. For the student and faculty members who commute or travel home on weekends, whether it is by vehicle or by public transportation, they will be the victims of the rise in prices on tolls, metro cards and PATH train tickets. 

There will be several new fees including paying an additional $1.50 at the tolls, which will increase from $8 to $9.50.  However, the new price is only offered to those who own E-ZPass as those who do not will be paying a whopping $12. This is a downgrade from previously proposed prices of an increase up to $15. The hike will affect all major bridges such as the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Bayonne Bridge, Goethals Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing. 

 "I'm not against it", said Math Professor Montalbano about the rise in toll prices. "A lot of construction has to be done and I pay more in gas anyway. I have E-Z Pass; I think it is ridiculous for people to not have it; I want those who don't to explain to me why."

For students and faculty members who commute or travel home by either PATH train or MTA transit system, will see a rise in price that varies.  In an effort to encourage citizens to not be wasteful of Metro Cards, MTA has decided to charge a $1 fee on newly purchased cards.  The goal is to promote recycling of previously used cards as some only use their metro card once before diposing of the card instead of refilling the card.  This way MTA bus and train riders will think twice before deposing their card as they will be charged a $1 cover fee. 

Samuel Reynoso, a sophomore Business major, who commutes to UB by the Metro North and MTA transit from Brooklyn, New York said, "It sucks cause I already pay school out of pocket and the rise of toll if they go up will force me to spend even more money in the commute." Reynoso also feels that the hike prices "sucks more money out of my pocket that is already empty."

The PATH train will see an increase of 25 cents, raising the price up to $2. 

Junior and Health Sciences Major Julynette Torres, is a resident of Barnum Hall and makes it a priority to travel home once or twice a month.

"I don't think its okay," Torres said. "Back home I know a lot of people who take the trains and if they keep raising the prices it will make it impossible for me to get down there [Bronx, New York]."

The rise of toll prices, PATH train and Metro Cards is hitting close to home with some of the students of the university. In a world where students are struggling to pay for tuition, books and dorm fees, the hike in prices with public transportation and tolls do not make it any easier.