Latest Push to Privatize Toll Collection Reminiscent of Republican Led Car Inspection and E-ZPass Privatization Debacles
(MONTCLAIR) — Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin (D-Essex), a member of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, issued the following statement on the Christie administration’s attempt to privatize toll collection services on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway:
“To say that Republicans in New Jersey have a less than stellar record on privatization of transportation services would be charitable.
“The State Commission of Investigation called the 1998 privatization of motor vehicle inspections under Parsons, which wasted tens of millions of dollars and caused huge lines at state inspection stations, a ‘massive boondoggle’ in one of several critical audits.
“And implementation of E-ZPass on the Turnpike in 2000 only occurred after $16 million in cost overruns and a two and a half year delay.
“With that kind of abysmal track record, there is nothing indicating that the Republicans’ latest attempt at privatization — handing New Jersey’s toll collection services over to private industry — will have any different results than their previous attempts.
“The main goal of a public works project, like toll collection, is there in the title — to work for the benefit of the public — whereas the main goal of a private company is to make money for its owners.
“This is something the administration should take to heart and it’s something New Jersey residents should remember as they watch their taxes continue to rise while seeing the quality of the services they’re receiving continue to decrease.”