Gov. Phil Murphy unexpectedly vetoed the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s budget which included a toll increase for the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. The governor said he is not satisfied with the justification for the hike.

“This is really the first full year that we have been back on our feet, and I want to see what the traffic and revenue number looks like in reality…to make sure that we still need to do this,” Murphy said on News 12’s “Ask Gov. Murphy” program.

Many of those who drive on these highways daily are criticizing what would have been the fourth toll hike in three years.

“Expensive price, I pay $1,000 a week, $3,00 per month,” said Paolo Roberto, who drives for a living.

MORE: NJ Turnpike, Garden State Parkway tolls increasing in 2024. Here’s what to know.

But others like Michael Knalblock have a different opinion.

“They gotta get money from somewhere to maintain [the roads]. It is either taxes or tolls. I would rather pay the higher tolls than take all the backroads. Takes me two hours to get to Cape May instead of five hours,” he says.

Turnpike Authority commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a $2.62 billion budget that included a 3% increase on tolls that would have gone into effect Jan. 1, 2024. 

The Turnpike Authority said that inflation was the reason for the toll hikes.