Car Rental New York and The NYC/NJ Port Authority

The Port Authority of New York and Newjersey is a bi-state port district that was established in 1921 to run the regional transportation infrastructure, which includes bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports. It is officially defined as a circle with a 25-mile radius centered on the Statue of Liberty. When you visit with your car rental New York, you are sure to use one of the facilities under the Port Authority's control, although not all of these transporation mediums are run by the Port Authority.

Make the trip easier

The Port Authority was established in the early 20th century there were many disputes between New York and New Jersey over rail freights and boundaries. A lawsuit between the two states eventually led to compromise, which today you may use in your car rental New York. This was the first agreement of its kind in the United States, and the aim was to reduce political corruption and look towards the longer term needs of the area.

Builing for the future

At the time that the Port Authority was established, there was no bridge or tunnel between the two states to Manhattan. Instead, goods were sent by barge and people travelled on ferries. The Holland Tunnel was in the works when the Port Authority was conceived, and later projects of the Port Authority included a bridge across Arthur Kill, the Goethals Bridge, and the George Washington Bridge.

The Holland the tunnel today carries about 100,000 vehicles per day between Jersey City and Canal Street. You may take this route when you are travelling with your car rental New York. Watch out: signs leading to the tunnel do not have signs for the I-78, even though the freeway continues into Manhattan, so ask for directions from your hotel concierge before you leave so you don't get lost in your New York City car rental.

Continued growth

In the 1940s, as you may learn when you visit with your car rental New York, the Port Authority grew again and expanded its operations to include airports and marine terminals. The Port Authority now controls the Newark Liberty International Airport, Teterboro Airport, the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Kennedy and LaGuardia are leased to the Port Authority for operating purposes.

Hop a ride

The Port Authoity also operates bus and rail transit, which means you can leave your car rental New York at the hotel and go the green way. There is a bus terminal at 42nd Street, George Washington Bridge, and the Port Authority Trans-Hudson. There is also a rapid transit system to link lower and midtown Manhattan, as well as Newark Airport.