The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC) is moving forward with plans to raise tolls in early 2026, opening a 30-day public comment period and scheduling three online hearings for October.
Proposed Increases
Under the proposal, tolls would rise across all eight of the agency’s toll bridges, which span the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. For Class 1 passenger vehicles with E-ZPass, the $1.50 toll would increase by 50 cents to $2. Drivers using TOLL BY PLATE would see a larger jump, from $3 to $5.
For larger vehicles, the per-axle E-ZPass rate would climb from $4.50 to $6.50, while the per-axle TOLL BY PLATE rate would increase from $5 to $8. That would set new tolls for trucks and buses ranging from $13 to $45.50 with E-ZPass and $16 to $56 with TOLL BY PLATE, depending on the number of axles.
The Commission charges higher rates to TOLL BY PLATE customers due to the added costs of license plate identification and billing. Since eliminating cash collections in 2024, all tolls are collected electronically in the Pennsylvania-bound direction only.
Rationale for Adjustment
Commission officials said the adjustments are needed to offset rising construction costs, maintain strong credit ratings, and fund future infrastructure improvements. Recent projections show the agency risks falling short in key financial metrics—including its General Fund Reserve Balance and Debt Service Coverage Ratio—used by bond-rating agencies to assess fiscal stability.
Unlike some toll agencies, the DRJTBC does not automatically raise tolls based on inflation or formulas, relying solely on commission votes. The agency does not receive state or federal subsidies; its operations, bridge maintenance, and capital projects are financed entirely through toll revenue.
Public Comment Opportunities
The official comment period opened last week and will close at 4 p.m. on Oct. 17. Comments can be submitted in several ways:
- Online: via a form at www.drjtbc.org/proposednewtolls
- E-mail: to [email protected]
- Mail: to Director of Community Affairs Jodee Inscho, DRJTBC Administration Building, 1199 Woodside Road, Yardley, PA 19067 (postmarked by Oct. 17)
Submissions must include the commenter’s full name, municipality, and state of residence to be part of the official record. Anonymous comments will not be accepted.
Virtual Hearings Scheduled
In addition, the Commission will hold three virtual hearings where members of the public can provide live testimony:
- Tuesday, Oct. 7 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 7 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 9 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The hearings will be conducted via Zoom and by teleconference. Pre-registration is required to speak and closes at 4 p.m. on Oct. 6. Instructions and access details will be posted on the Commission’s website by Oct. 1.
Speakers will be limited to three minutes, with slots filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals may also choose to watch the livestream without commenting.
Next Steps
All comments will be compiled into an official record and presented to the Commission’s 10 members before a vote at their Nov. 24 meeting. Members of the public will have one final opportunity to comment at that session before commissioners decide whether to approve, modify, or reject the proposed toll increases.
Commission Background
Formed in 1934 by Pennsylvania and New Jersey and ratified by Congress in 1935, the DRJTBC operates eight toll bridges and 12 “toll-supported” non-revenue bridges—including two pedestrian-only crossings—along the river’s freshwater portion. The agency also maintains 73 lane miles of road surface and 34 approach bridges.
In 2024, more than 133 million vehicles crossed Commission bridges.
