The Toll for Elephants
In an effort to ease the toll change
that takes effect on Jan. 1 at 6 A.M., the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey passed out 700,000 leaflets, ''Questions and Answers About Your New Tolls,'' last weekend at its bridges and tunnels.
In the first increase since 1975, fares for automobiles will go from $1.50 to $2.
Since the weekend, 500 bridge and tunnel users have inquired about the new rates, according to Leon J. Katz, a Port Authority information officer.
One complained of the inequity between tolls for animals drawing vehicles and animals ridden, led or herded. The former is $2, the latter $1.
In fact, an unusual group of animals passed through the Lincoln Tunnel on May 17, 1971 - 19 elephants, a pony, a zebra and a llama. They were being taken to the circus at Madison Square Garden during a train strike. The toll was $9.50 for the elephants; their companions were free.
As of Jan. 1, the elephants would cost $19.
Continue reading the main story