Senator Robert Martin and Assemblyman Alex DeCroce offered versions of a plan to remove most of the road's toll plazas, build new toll plazas at entrance ramps, and increase each toll to $1.

A simpler approach and more forward-looking approach would be to adapt the current installation of E-ZPass toll reader technology and render conventional toll plazas obsolete. Roadways across North America are developing toll systems that permit drivers to proceed at normal highway speeds. Some divide the roadway between high speed through-toll traffic and cash-paying traffic that still must stop. The approach is tailor-made for the Parkway, with its traffic snarling main-line toll plazas, and it would spur E-ZPass market penetration much more quickly than the toll discount planned by NJ highway officials.

The NJ Turnpike Authority is developing a non-stop E-ZPass at Turnpike Exit 6 (see MTR #208), and the NY State Thruway Authority is developing non-stop toll collection facilities in upstate New York. NY officials officials already use antennae along part of the Thruway to monitor traffic flow by measuring speeds of E-ZPass-equipped cars. That technology could just as easily collect tolls without slowing cars.

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The Port Authority will discontinue issuance of paper discount tickets for bridge and tunnel tolls as of June 11th. Commuters who want to continue receiving discounted fares will do so using E-ZPass. 50% of George Washington Bridge travelers now pay tolls using E-ZPass, the PA announced recently.