Community Corner

Fort Lee's Casual Carpoolers

Sharing rides across the GWB can save money, but it might get you a ticket.

Traveling from Fort Lee to New York City can be expensive: $3.20 bus fare or $13 for those driving a car. But those trying to cross the George Washington Bridge have come up with a unique cooperative solution. 

Drivers will often stop at the last bus stop before the bridge and let people into their cars in order to pay a reduced carpooling toll. 

This "casual carpooling" can be a great money-saving solution -- as long as the driver doesn't get a ticket. This practice has sometimes been called "hitchhiking" or "begging rides" which is illegal. 

Find out what's happening in Fort Leewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

My9NJ says that "casual carpooling" has been going on for 25 years, and that police only crack down when it causes delays in traffic. 

In a 2012 crackdown, Governor Christie asked Port Authority police to stop ticketing drivers, saying that the Port Authority was being "heavy-handed." 

Find out what's happening in Fort Leewith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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