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Drivers Crossing State Line to Fuel Up

STROUDSBURG – In the new year, expect to see prices at the pump to get a little more painful here in PA. An oil tax enacted by Governor Corbett to help re...
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STROUDSBURG - In the new year, expect to see prices at the pump to get a little more painful here in PA.

An oil tax enacted by Governor Corbett to help repair roads and bridges across the state, will go up in 2015, raising prices at the pump.

There's a long line of cars with Pennsylvania Plates waiting to fuel up.

But this is across the state line in New Jersey!

Jim Fleming from Mount Bethel says it's the only place he pulls up to the pump.

"This is the only place I buy fuel, is shell right here. I've had this truck for six months, and this is the only place I buy gas all the time," said Fleming.

That's because gas here at this shell station is $0.26 cheaper than in PA.

And it's a short five-mile drive to the Garden State from his home. Even the toll on the Delaware Water Gap Bridge doesn't bother him.

"What's $1.50 When you are going to save $10 in gas," said Fleming.

PA's new tax on fuel is partially to blame for the price difference, that raised prices 10 cents a gallon last January and it's about to increase again in the New Year.

Joe Digiacinto lives in Mount Bethel and says he's happy to drive to Jersey for the better prices.

"They pump it for me and it's 20 cents a gallon cheaper at least so I make sure I get it here," said Digiacinto.

Beginning January 1 the taxes we pay at pump here in PA will go up again, by about a dime to help fund repairs to mostly crumbling bridges, highways across the state.

"Pay for the bridges? They don't get enough money? What is this another politicians deal here?" said Fleming.

This $2.49 per gallon price will go up. Kevin O'Malley of Stroudsburg says it's enough to keep him fueling up elsewhere.

"I don't support a gas tax increase in Pennsylvania, I happen to work in New Jersey and already buy all my gas in New Jersey when I can," said O'Malley.

O'Malley says with this 2015 increase and another tax increase planned for 2017, he expects to see even longer lines and more pa plates here in New Jersey for fuel in the new year.

"It's already a $0.25 cent savings so, you know if we start looking at $0.40 cents, you're going to be sending a lot of people.  It will be worth the trip," said O'Malley.

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