As cars continue to clog the tri-state highways, in particular the Pulaski Skyway, which a study confirms as one of the most congested in the country, the Port Authority’s PATH rail system is increasingly finding new commuters. The PATH can now boast of a record ridership for 2011, with 76.6 million commuter trips made for the year, an increase 3.6% over 2010. The previous record, back in 2008, was for 74.9 million.

“Our multibillion-dollar commitment to transform PATH into a 21st century rail system has paid dividends. More people are taking notice of what PATH has to offer and are choosing it as their preferred mode of travel between New York and New Jersey,” said Port Authority Chairman David Samson in a statement.

The money has been well-spent, says the Authority, which points to 340 new rail cars in service, part of a 3-year, $744 million program that created 700 jobs. An additional $400 million has been spent upgrading signals throughout the PATH’s 43 tracks and 13 stations which the PATH says makes rides safer and more efficient. The PATH averages approximately 256,000 riders during the week and 211,000 weekend riders, up 2% from 2010.

“We continue to make significant investments in PATH, to provide our customers a quality mass-transit alternative to cross the Hudson for work, to see family, or a night out. Our customers have asked for new cars and upgraded stations and we are listening,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye in a statement. “And our new PATH signal system, when it is fully installed, will help meet the on-time performance standards and reliability that our customers demand.”

The announcement, however, comes ahead of a lawsuit against the Port Authority’s decision to raise tolls and use the additional fare for what AAA of New York and New Jersey contend are “inappropriate” purposes.

“The Port Authority forces bridge and tunnel users to fund cost overruns and subsidize the speculative and unprofitable reconstruction and operation of the World Trade Center from which toll payers receive no benefit,” AAA states in its September 27 complaint.

PATH’s lawyers will surely contend the increased ridership reflects commuters who are pleased with how money is spent. JCI readers, how has your commuting experience been?

Woman Struck by Truck and Killed Identified as 62-Year-Old from Jersey City: The woman who was struck and killed by a construction truck on Friday at the intersection of Grand and Prescott streets has been identified, authorities said.

Two-Family Home on Van Horne Street in Jersey City Cited for Illegal Apartments: A Jersey City family of seven has been forced to move in with its downstairs neighbors after city inspectors cited their building’s owner with having illegal apartments, officials said.

New Jersey Woman Gives Birth On Train To NYC: A New Jersey woman got the morning commute of her life when she gave birth on a PATH train to New York.

Altar from St. John’s Episcopal Church Ends up on eBay: An altar from the shuttered St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jersey City has turned up on eBay, for sale by a New York importer at a nearly $50,000 price tag.

Jersey City Teen Heading to 2012 World Artistic Pool Championship: A Jersey City teenager who first picked up a pool stick last year is preparing to head to a national trick-shot competition in which he’ll be the youngest player cueing up bank shots.

Crime Blotter: Two people were shot Monday night on Sheffield Street near Rutgers Avenue in Jersey City, police say; On Friday, Jersey City police arrested three men inside a Bergen Avenue building known for drug trafficking after a man inside tossed suspected heroin out a window, officials said. A 21-year-old Jersey City man walking his dog Friday night was held up by a man wearing a ski mask and pointing a gun, according to police reports.

Today’s Best Bets:

Farms in the Heights and Pershing Field Garden Friends host a screening of Food Miles at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Community Center at Pershing Field and will be followed by speakers and a Q&A (7:30 pm, free).

Meanwhile, Sea of Otters and Glen Coleman play a free show at Lucky 7 (8 pm).

In Statewide News:

Gov. Christie in Action: State of the State address, Busy Day in Trenton to Come: Today is jam-packed in Trenton as Gov. Chris Christie takes action on scores of bills by noon, followed by the State of the State address that was postponed last week to pay tribute to the late minority leader, Assemblyman Alex DeCroce.

New Jersey Gas Prices on the Rise: AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.30, up 5 cents from last week. That’s also much higher than it was a year ago, when motorists were paying $3.02.

Hudson County Rents Rise: The average asking rent for an available apartment in Hudson County has shot up 7.2 percent over the past year, with some luxury buildings seeing increases closer to 16 percent, according to a market report by the commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield.

Free Parking in Municipal Lots: Beginning today and running until January 2, parking is free for two hours in any of Jersey City’s municipal parking lots to allow for holiday shopping.

Feds Drop One Corruption Count Against Serrano: Federal officials have dropped one of two counts against failed Jersey City council candidate Lori Serrano who is charged with diverting $10,000 in cash contributions made to candidates who were on her ticket. She now faces only mail fraud charges.

Hudson County’s First County Executive Dies at Age 85: Edward F. Clark, Jr., a former Hudson County freeholder and the county’s first elected county executive, died at his home Monmouth Beach on Saturday after a protracted battle with prostate cancer.

Occupy New Jersey to Rally at Christ Hospital: Occupy Jersey City is set to weigh in today on the pending sale of Christ Hospital in Jersey City to a California-based company.

PATH Holiday Poster Winner Announced: The Port Authority last week announced that Olivia Balcos, an 8th-grader at Academy 1 Middle School in Jersey City, took first place at PATH’s annual Holiday Poster Contest.

Outdoor Dinosaur Exhibition Coming to Hudson County: Several local officials were on hand yesterday afternoon to help unveil the future site of Field Station: Dinosaurs, a 24-acre educational, outdoor science exhibition that will open in Secaucus in May.

Skillman Avenue Residents See a Rise in Crime: Residents of Skillman Avenue in Jersey City say their street used to be a worry-free place to live. But a spate of car and house burglaries in recent weeks have shattered their sense of security.

Water Main Break Closed Tonnelle Avenue: A water main break on Saturday in Jersey City caused parts of Tonnelle Avenue between County Road and Manhattan Avenue in Jersey City to be closed to traffic for six hours, officials said.

Candled Blamed for Heights Fire: A lit candle that tilted over is being blamed for a two-alarm fire in the Jersey City Heights last night that sent an elderly woman to the hospital.

Crime Blotter: A dispute between tenants over the volume of a television set early yesterday erupted into violence, according to Jersey City police reports; a Jersey City man was arrested in a Saint Peter’s College dorm after entering a woman’s room and flopping on her roommate’s bed, hours after police say he slashed a man during a Greenville carjacking; a delivery man for a Jersey City fried chicken restaurant was handed a counterfeit $50 bill before being robbed at gunpoint in Greenville; a Jersey City man was assaulted by four males and robbed of $12, some clothing and brandy as he walked home from the Light Rail station at Virginia Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive Thursday night; Three teens have been charged with attempting to carjack a vehicle in Jersey City yesterday and then opening fire when the driver sped away.

Cultural Calendar:

Today at NJCU, check out the opening of the Art Faculty Biennial, featuring works by Mauro Altamura, Hugo Bastidas, Mary-Ellen Campbell, Dennis Dittrich and many more faculty members. The opening reception begins at 5 pm in NJCU’s Visual Arts Gallery and is free.

Then at 7:30 pm, famed jazz pianist Arturo O’Farrill joins the NJCU Jazz Ensembles for a concert at the Margaret Williams Theatre ($15).

In Statewide News:

NJ 43rd in Anti-Smoking Effort: A report released Wednesday by the American Cancer Society, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and four other organizations concluded the state ranks 43rd in the nation in funding anti-smoking programs.

NJ Bond Debt Rises: New Jersey’s bonded debt, already the fourth-highest per capita in the nation, increased 3.1 percent to $38.1 billion in the fiscal year that ended in June, according to a state debt report released Friday.

State Police Recruiting Black Candidates in Churches: Recruiters for the State Police returned to churches in some of the most crime-plagued cities this weekend with a renewed sense of urgency to attract more black candidates to the force.

Many NJ School Board Members Have Not Complied with Background Check Law: Roughly one-third of the state’s school board members have failed to comply with a law signed seven months ago that requires all members to undergo criminal background checks.

New Jersey Alimony Reform Group Wants to End Lifetime Payments: Arguing that New Jersey divorce laws should not be for richer or poorer, a group pushing for overhauls wants the state to end awards of lifetime alimony and legislate the terms of payments to former spouses.

BPU Moves to Block PSE&G Bid for Special Incentives from Federal Agency: In a filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) protested PSE&G seeking incentive rates for the $895 million North East Grid Reliability Transmission project, a line running from Hudson County to Roseland in Essex County.

Revitalizing NJ’s Healthcare Industry, One Hospital at a Time: Two bills under consideration in Trenton would use tax incentives to bring failed hospitals back to life and help smaller facilities expand.

Legal Challenges in Education in Cerf’s Hands: New Jersey’s Acting Commissioner of Education Christopher Cerf is the final administrative word on the dozens of legal challenges that are filed with the state Department of Education each year. They range from the routine to the rancorous, all with an individual’s job or education at stake.

The lawsuit was filed in September by the New York and northern New Jersey chapters of AAA a month after the bi-state, autonomous agency approved the much-criticized hikes. Commuters saw the price of trip on a PATH train go up over the next four years, from $1.75 to $2, then $2.25, then $2.50 and finally $2.75 by 2014.

Tolls for the Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel and Bayonne Bridge as well as other Port Authority-controlled roads jumped from $8 to $9.50 for E-Z Pass holders during peak hours and $12 for cash-paying customers, with truck drivers paying even more.

The fare hike happened after only a day of public hearings at hard-to-reach locations in New York and New Jersey, followed by a unanimous vote of the Port Authority’s board of commissioners in August, all of which was blasted by the public as being a rushed effort lacking in transparency.

The lawsuit claims the Port Authority fare hike was in violation of federal law as well as New York state law since the revenues will be used for other purposes besides the improvement of Port Authority bridges, tunnels and train system.

“The Port Authority forces bridge and tunnel users to fund cost overruns and subsidize the speculative and unprofitable reconstruction and operation of the World Trade Center from which toll payers receive no benefit,” AAA states in its September 27 complaint.

The Port Authority is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed, according to an October 18 response, on the grounds that the fare hike was “just and reasonable” and does not violate various laws.

The agency had argued that it was necessary to raise prices to make up for budget shortfalls and to finance a ten-year, $33-billion capital plan that will finance major upgrades such as replacing 340 PATH cars and the train system’s 100-year-old signal system, and the raising of the Bayonne Bridge.

The agency also pushed for the fare to be raised due to Moody’s Investor Services threatened downgrade of the PA’s credit rating back in March, which the agency blamed on three unhedged interest rate swaps tied to bonds that were on the Port Authority’s books that cost the agency millions in payouts.

But Port Authority officials did concede that some of the agency’s financial problems came from the $11 billion World Trade Center construction project going over budget.

Both sides have gotten support for their positions regarding this lawsuit. Staten Island Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) filed an amicus brief on the behalf of the litigants. Also, some New York State lawmakers are working with the AAA to enact legislation requiring the Port Authority to use toll revenue just for transportation, not real estate development.

On the opposite end, US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has sided somewhat with the Port Authority by denying a request by AAA to intervene in the toll hike fight. In a recent letter to the AAA, LaHood points out that the DOT no longer has “oversight of tolls on interstate bridges over navigable waters” and agrees there was “just and reasonable” cause for toll increases.

Local residents have weighed in on the impact of the fare hikes over the past two months. Downtown Jersey City resident Joshua Parkhurst, a labor lawyer, takes the PATH daily to his office located near the 33rd Street station and plans to use the train as long as he has his job.

He says he is glad the AAA is launching this lawsuit as he worries about when the one-way fare becomes $2.75 in 2014.

“When the PATH fare becomes as expensive as the [New York] subway, then it will become an economic disadvantage for Hudson County residents,” Parkhurst says.

Joan Palmer, who also lives Downtown, takes the PATH train into Manhattan to catch another train to her workplace on 57th Street. She doesn’t see the fare hike having an impact on her travels as she
receives a cost-of-living salary increase each year, and thinks the money generated by the Port Authority has been well-spent when it comes to the PATH system.

“I don’t have a problem with the PATH because it is not going up that high, and at least we are getting something for it,” Palmer said. “I think it’s fairly reliable and runs fine.”

But Jersey City Heights resident Erik-Anders Nilsson, one of the founders of the Jersey City Peace Movement, spoke out against the fare hikes over the summer, calling it “economic terrorism.”

In a recent interview, Nilsson says he still feels that way about the fare increases since it impacts unfairly upon working people during a bad economy. He also has felt the effects of the Port Authority’s move, and commended the AAA for its lawsuit.

“I have curtailed going into New York, as I would be in the city three, four times a week to watch a movie or meet with friends,” Nilsson says. “More power to the AAA for fighting the fare hikes.”

After Election Upset, Mayor’s Influence Questioned: Mayor Jerramiah Healy’s council candidates lost despite support from the Jersey City Democratic Committee and organizational help from the Hudson County Democratic Committee. Thus, some are wondering if the mayor’s influence is waning.

More Construction Does Not Equal More Jobs: Despite the economic and housing slump, several Jersey City construction projects are either underway or have recently completed. But some residents say these projects have not translated into increased work opportunities for members of the community.

More Options for Composting: A Jersey City resident plans to start an exchange between gardeners with space to compost and apartment dwellers that want a place to drop off compost, while the Hudson County Improvement Authority hopes to create a compost drop-off area.

Jersey City Web Series Seeks Suggestions: After airing the first eight mini-episodes, the creators of The Untitled Jersey City Project, an FX web series, are looking for suggestions on where to take the plot in the upcoming episodes.

Carbon Monoxide Shuts Down Gas Service: High carbon monoxide readings led to gas service being shut off Saturday at a four-story building at 360 Pacific Avenue, Jersey City fire officials said.

Leaky Water Main: Roughly 75 families in Jersey City were left without water for several hours yesterday while technicians fixed a leaky water main at Princeton and Winfield Avenues, United Water officials said.

Retired Police Officer Inducted into Hall of Fame: A former Jersey City Police Chief Frank Gajewski was inducted into a police Hall of Fame at George Mason University in Virginia.

Car Flips on West Side Avenue: A 22-year-old Queens man flipped his car and hit two parked cars at West Side Avenue near Gifford Avenue Sunday afternoon, police reports said.

Attacked Roommate Still Hospitalized: A Jersey City man stabbed 28 times last month in a Heights bloodbath remains hospitalized, but says he is glad to learn his alleged attacker may face attempted murder charges.

Alleged Con Man Pleads Guilty: A Jersey City man, using a scheme that included illegally obtained Social Security numbers, inflated appraisals and false job histories, swindled four banks out of more than $1.1 million, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced yesterday.

Fire in Greenville: Jersey City firefighters quickly extinguished a small fire in a three-story Greenville building yesterday morning, officials said.

Crime Blotter: A 17-year-old Jersey City girl told police that her ex-boyfriend slashed her under the chin with a kitchen knife after the two quarreled about the breakup, reports said; an 18-year-old Bayonne woman was arrested early yesterday morning after punching a Jersey City police officer who was trying to stop a street fight, police reports said; a 31-year-old Jersey City man was cut several times after being “jumped” at a Heights bar early Saturday morning, police reports said; a 16-year-old Jersey City boy was robbed by a group of men and boys on Sip Avenue Thursday night, officials said.

Today’s Best Bets:

New Jersey Lieutenant Governor, Kim Guadagno, local entrepreneurs, government officials and business leaders converge for Global Entrepreneurship Week, which kicks off tonight at 7 pm at City Hall.

In Statewide News:

Stated Readies New School Report Cards: The Christie administration will unveil this week a plan for new school report cards that will rate every public school in New Jersey on overall achievement, gaps in achievement and specific academic targets.

Menendez Campaign Money Globally Sourced: A year before he faces New Jersey voters seeking reelection, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez has raised more than $10 million. Half comes from his North Jersey connections and the rest from outreach to donors with national and even global interests.

Dow Headed to Superior Court: Sources — including one powerful source close to Attorney General Paula Dow — tell PolitickerNJ.com that she will leave the attorney general’s office to become a superior court judge in Essex County.

Job Losses Hurt Minorities More: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the latest New Jersey average monthly unemployment figures from October 2010 through September 2011 show the rate at 15.4 percent for blacks, 10.9 percent for Hispanics and 8.6 percent for whites, down just slightly from a year ago.

New Law Aids Domestic Violence Victims: Legislation that imposes more stringent bail restrictions on those charged with violating domestic violence-related restraining orders has been signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie.

Medicaid Seeks to Bring Managed Care to Behavioral Services: New Jersey is seeking federal approval to redesign its system for providing behavioral health services to Medicaid members.

Cerf Takes Moderate Tone at NJEA Convention: Acting Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf came to the teachers union convention Friday and told educators that he appreciated and valued them and wanted to listen to their concerns.

City Crews Cleaning Up After Storm: Five crews of Jersey City workers, aided by a private contractor, are working to remove the “unprecedented” number of trees downed by this weekend’s freak snowstorm.

Final New PATH Car in Service: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey yesterday put the 340th new PATH train car into service, completing a three-year project to replace the entire system’s rail car fleet.

DeGise Dismisses Departure Rumors: Running for his third full term in next week’s general election, Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, 61, yesterday dismissed rumors he’s eyeballing another job and said he’s not through making his mark as county exec.

Chromium Cleanup Progress: According to the public-private Chromium Cleanup Partnership, now that about 10 percent of the contaminated material on Garfield Avenue has been removed, the next phase of land remediation is set to begin. Look for more coverage from JCI this week.

Political Insider: Augie expresses doubts over a reported pair of polls that show Mayor Healy getting favorable job ratings and 2013 mayoral challenger Steven Fulop with low scores; he also reviews a campaign spot for At-Large incumbents Kalimah Ahmad and Ray Velazquez.

Body Identified: Detective work on both sides of the Hudson River has led to the identification of a drowned woman found floating near Jersey City’s Newport community on Saturday as a 59-year-old Queens woman.

Crime Blotter: An unidentified man robbed more than $3,600 from TD Bank on 18th Street yesterday afternoon; when a Paterson woman ignored the advances of a man trying to chat with her on a street in the Lafayette section of the city Sunday night, he opted to rob her instead.

In Statewide News:

Afterschool Program Not Closing After All: New Jersey After 3′s surprise reprieve by the governor on the eve of elections has some Democrats questioning its timing.

Praise for State Utilities: Gov. Christie praised Jersey Central Power & Light Co. and Public Service Electric & Gas Co. for making adequate progress returning power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses knocked offline by the weekend storm.

State Help for Rutgers Athletics: Gov. Christie has told Rutgers University officials he’s ready to help the athletic department respond to the string of defections that have weakened the prestige of Big East Conference and threatened the future of the state university’s $58 million sports program.

Day of the Dead Commemorations on the Rise: As New Jersey’s Mexican population soars, Day of the Dead festivities are growing more common.

Christie Fundraising for Romney: Now that he has given his endorsement, Gov. Christie will start generating some cash for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Corzine Financial Firm Woes: Former Gov. Corzine’s revived Wall Street career is in trouble. His firm, MF Global — a powerhouse in the world of commodities and derivatives trading but little known outside Wall Street — was working frantically toward a potential sale late on Sunday. Failing to find a buyer, the firm is reportedly filing for bankruptcy.

New Marketing Targets Emergency Room Visits: Some New Jersey hospitals are marketing their emergency rooms to insured patients, while the state struggles to reduce ER visits by Medicaid recipients.

- Bill Would Seek Sewer Overflow Notification: The leader of the state Senate’s environment committee says he will introduce legislation that would require cities and towns to tell residents when outdated sewer systems overflow and spill a dangerous brew of raw waste into waterways in Jersey City and elsewhere.

- Webb-Washington Pleads Not Guilty to Fraud: Longtime housing activist and 2009 City Council candidate LaVern Webb-Washington has pleaded not guilty to new fraud charges.

- JCPD Abuse? The Journal has obtained a video of the arrest of a Jersey City man who says he was punched in the groin and choked by officers while he was handcuffed.

- Library Assistant Director Stepping Down: After 56 years with the Jersey City Free Public Library, Dennis Hayes is set to retire on Saturday.

- St. Peter’s College: This year’s freshman enrollment is lower than expected, according to the student newspaper.

- HCCC & Poland Trip: Hudson County Freeholder Chairman Bill O’Dea says he is “satisfied” with Hudson County Community College president Dr. Glen Gabert’s $1,500 donation to the college in response to his inquiries into the nature of the trip.

- Crime Blotter: Jersey City police officers trying to break up a fight between three men near Lincoln Park say they were attacked by one of the men.

Today’s Best Bets:

- The “Summer Jam” fundraiser for the Jersey City Free Public Library is at O’Hara’s (5 pm). LITM hosts a closing party for Megan Gulick’s Year of the Rabid, which will also feature a screening of a video made during Gulick’s latest mural work on Newark Avenue (7 pm). If you’re looking to perform, check out Uptown Crew’s open mic at Moore’s (8 pm), or the newly reinstated live-band karaoke at Zeppelin Hall (8 pm).

In Statewide News:

- Irene Aid: More than 54,000 residents across New Jersey struggling to recover from Hurricane Irene have shared in $116 million in federal disaster aid, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno announced yesterday.

- Offshore Wind Developer Seeks $100M in Tax Credits: The developer of an offshore wind transmission system is seeking to qualify for $100 million in tax credits offered under a New Jersey law aimed at luring manufacturers of offshore wind turbines to the area.

- Is ‘Divided Government’ Really Working? Gov. Christie’s talk of “divided government that is working in New Jersey” is playing well nationally right now as Washington, D.C. is stuck in partisan gridlock and Republicans struggle to find consensus on a 2012 presidential candidate. A closer look at New Jersey, however, shows a state that also suffers from partisan rancor, and one that is still struggling with soaring property taxes, high unemployment and substandard government ethics rules two years after Christie stressed those issues during his 2009 campaign.

- Charter Schools: Citing possible conflicts of interest on the part of volunteer reviewers who helped select new charter schools, a New Jersey state senator has filed a legal challenge to force the state Department of Education to turn over the reviewers’ names.

- Pension/Benefit Suit: A group of state employees challenging the constitutionality of New Jersey’s new law covering pension and health benefits wants to combine their lawsuit to one brought by a Superior Court judge.

- State Officials’ Pay: Republican leaders, including Gov. Christie, will block pay raises for lawmakers, judges, cabinet members and other high-level officials by refusing to appoint members to a review board.

- Same-Sex Couples: There’s been an explosion of growth in the number of same-sex couples living together in New Jersey over the last decade, new Census data shows. But while the recent boom has been dramatic, the U.S. Census Bureau says a statistical snafu inflated earlier totals, and there are actually fewer gay and lesbian couples living together in the Garden State than previously estimated.

- Higher Education: In an unusual move, Seton Hall University will reduce its tuition by more than $21,000 next year for incoming freshmen who have high SAT scores and graduate in the top 10 percent of their class.

- Mistrial in Murder Case: The murder trial of the Jersey City man accused of killing a Jersey City father of four ended in a mistrial yesterday when the jury could not reach a verdict.

- NJ Hero Award: Jersey City resident David McCauley has been named a NJ Hero for October 2011 for creating the Rise Up To Cure Paralysis Foundation. McCauley was paralyzed from a diving accident.

- ‘Next Great Baker’ at the Loew’s: The second-season finale of Next Great Baker, a spin-off of TLC’s popular reality TV show The Cake Boss, was taped yesterday afternoon at the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre in Journal Square.

- Hoboken Hospital Sale: Gov. Christie says he would pledge $5 million in state funds to jump start bankrupcty negotiations key to the sale of Hoboken University Medical Center to the ownership group of Bayonne Medical Center.

- Meet-and-Greet: The Jersey City Elks Lodge 211 is inviting the public to meet firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical service workers up close and personal tomorrow from 1 to 3 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Church parking lot

- Crime Blotter: Police believe the same culprits are to blame for the robberies of two people in separate incidents on Broadway on Wednesday between 8:45 and 10 pm.

In Statewide News:

- Irene $: Officials on Thursday announced nearly $10 million in federal grants to aid New Jersey’s recovery from Hurricane Irene.

- Education: The recommendation is tucked deep into the report commissioned by Gov. Christie, one of nearly 50 suggestions to ease the red tape tying up public schools. But it may be one of the more significant or provocative recommendations made by the Education Transformation Task Force: rethink New Jersey’s decade-old requirement that its teachers rack up 100 hours of professional development every five years.

- Trans-Hudson Rail: Amtrak stands to gain $15 million for preliminary engineering of two new Hudson River rail tunnels next year under a bill approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

- Carl Lewis: A federal appeals panel has reversed itself and decided that former Olympic track and field star Carl Lewis will not be on the ballot for state Senate after all.

- Smog: Four New Jersey metropolitan areas had enough unhealthy smog days in 2010 to land in the top 20 among American regions with the worst air pollution, according to a new study released Wednesday by the group Environment New Jersey.

- Electric Vehicles: New Jersey is taking some small steps toward building a network of charging stations for plug-in electric vehicles throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, joining 10 other states and the District of Columbia in the an effort to come up with a development plan.

- Vets & Construction Jobs: A program that connects military veterans with construction jobs is getting a boost from a state grant.

The plan will also raise tolls by $1.50 on the agency’s bridges and tunnels for E-ZPass users, to $9.50; and by $4 for cash users, to $12. By 2015, those tolls will be up to $12.50 for E-ZPass users during peak hours and $15 for cash users.

The Port Authority insists the hikes are necessary to maintain its bridges and tunnels, as well as help finance its 10-year $25 billion capital plan. The motorist-advocacy group AAA has asked federal transportation officials to block the toll hike, and is threatening to sue if the government doesn’t intervene.

Here’s how the rest of the multi-year PATH fare hikes will break down:

Beginning on October 1, 2012 at 3 am, a single PATH ride will rise to $2.25; two-trip tickets will be $4.50; 10-trip tickets will be $17; 20-trip tickets will be $34; 40-trip tickets will be $68; a 30-day unlimited will be $73 and a 7-day unlimited will be $24.

Beginning on October 1, 2013 at 3 am, a single PATH ride will rise to $2.50; two-trip tickets will be $5; 10-trip tickets will be $19; 20-trip tickets will be $38; 40-trip tickets will be $76; a 30-day unlimited will be $80 and a 7-day unlimited will be $26.

Beginning on October 1, 2014 at 3 am, a single PATH ride will rise to $2.75; two-trip tickets will be $5.50; 10-trip tickets will be $21; 20-trip tickets will be $42; 40-trip tickets will be $84; a 30-day unlimited will be $89 and a 7-day unlimited will be $29.

A PATH fare collector’s booth in Journal Square, circa 1966

In the newly released Fall 2011 issue of NEW, we asked a question about the history of PATH fare hikes as part of our “Parting Shot” back-page photo feature.

With the Port Authority’s latest PATH fare hike set to go into effect on Sunday, from $1.75 to $2 (it will ultimately rise to $2.75), we wanted to look back at previous fare hikes. We asked:

While trains began running on the current PATH routes more than 100 years ago, the Port Authority didn’t take over the operation (from the bankrupt Hudson & Manhattan Railroad) until 1962. When the agency took over, a single PATH ride [from Jersey City to Manhattan] cost 30 cents. Its first fare increase brought the cost to 50 cents per ride. What year did that initial increase happen?

Downtown resident Melinda Hirsch-Robinson was the first to send in the correct answer: 1982. And she’s won a $50 Iron Monkey gift certificate for her efforts.

MORE HISTORIC PATH PHOTOS

Grove Street station in the 1970s

The old Journal Square station, circa 1971

The new Journal Square station, circa 1973

As always, a big thanks for research and photo assistance to the fine folks in the New Jersey Room of the Jersey City Free Public Library.