SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY – Hampton Jitney, the long-running bus operator that transports New Yorkers to the Hamptons, is facing the possibility of increased ticket prices due to the impending implementation of New York City’s congestion pricing.
According to an email sent to riders on February 25th and obtained by Bloomberg, the private bus company will be required to pay double in tolls for shuttling passengers from Manhattan to the Hamptons and Long Island’s North Fork under the city’s tolling proposal.
Geoffrey Lynch, President of Hampton Jitney, reached out to their ridership for support in the email, urging them to voice their support for the company to receive an exemption from the new toll.
Under the congestion pricing plan, Hampton Jitney buses entering Manhattan south of 60th Street will be subject to a $24 fee during peak periods. However, these buses will receive a $6 tunnel credit when traveling through the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, which runs under the East River and exits on 34th Street. It’s important to note that the Queens-Midtown Tunnel also charges a toll, which can be as high as $11.19 without a registered E-ZPass in New York.
The increase in toll costs for Hampton Jitney, a service that is celebrating its 50th year of operation, may ultimately impact passengers, as reported by Bloomberg. The email from Lynch stated that Jitney vehicles entered the tunnel approximately 20,000 times in 2023.
Currently, Hampton Jitney charges $40 for a one-way prepaid ticket from New York to the Hamptons, or $47 if purchased onboard. However, there are pricier alternatives for traveling to the Hamptons, such as Uber or helicopter rides, which can cost up to $1,000 for a one-way seat. The Long Island Rail Road also offers trips to the affluent seaside destinations for $31.75 for a one-way ticket, although service is less frequent, according to Bloomberg.
Representatives for Hampton Jitney have not yet responded to requests from The New York Post who reached out for comment.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is leading the implementation of the new tolling structure and is expected to finalize the plan with a vote next month, as reported by Bloomberg. Private bus lines like Hampton Jitney and Coach USA, a popular Megabus subsidiary, will not be granted exemptions or discounts by the city’s transit network.
The MTA’s congestion pricing is scheduled to be implemented in mid-June and will charge vehicles that enter Manhattan below 60th Street once per day. Trucks larger than Hampton Jitney buses will be charged $36 during peak hours, while car drivers will have to pay $15. Rideshare vehicles affiliated with apps will incur an additional $2.50 per trip if their route passes through the congestion zone during the specified hours.
The transit authority estimates that the new tolls will generate up to $1 billion in annual revenue. This revenue will contribute to the MTA’s goal of raising $15 billion to modernize and upgrade New York City’s more than century-old transit system.
Hampton Jitney is a family-owned company that operating several transportation services in the eastern part of Long Island, New York. They are most well-known for their luxury bus service, which operates three main routes between the Hamptons and North Fork of Long Island and New York City. They also offer charter bus rentals and pre-planned tours in the area. Additionally, they operate local bus routes in eastern Suffolk County under contract with the local government. They are the only year-round transportation provider between New York City and the North Fork on weekends and major holidays.
