As the final piece of the 2011 fare hikes, the MTA Board voted this morning to approve toll increases on its bridges and tunnels across the city. The rate hike targets those who pay in cash over those who use their E-ZPasses, and the authority expects an increase in revenue at its seven bridges and two tunnels of 7.5 percent. The hikes will go into effect on December 30, 2010.
The authority board had delayed its vote on the bridge and tunnel increases due to feedback received during the public hearings in September. Originally, the authority had planned a blanket increase across the board, but many commuters and politicians urged the authority to “only cash tolls in order to encourage the use of E-ZPass and thereby reduce toll collection expenses and traffic congestion.” After careful review, the Board decided on a 5 percent E-ZPress increase instead of a 10 percent hike and a $1 cash increase at major crossings.
The Board also announced a new plan to expand E-ZPass access as well. Beginning in 2011, the MTA will introduce a card that works similar to a pre-paid debit card. Drivers will be able to reload their E-ZPass accounts with cash using this debit card at hundreds of stores in the region. More details about the plan will be released at a later date.
The fare hikes follow. Major crossings include the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, Queens Midtown Tunnel, RFK Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The Rockaway Crossings are the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Marine Parkway- Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge.
Toll Type | Current Toll | Rate After 12/30/10 |
---|---|---|
MAJOR CROSSINGS | ||
Cash | $5.50 | $6.50 |
E-ZPass | $4.57 | $4.80 |
Verrazano SI Resident E-ZPass. Westbound only. | $5.48 | $5.76 |
Verrazano SI Carpool Toll. Westbound only | $2.56 | $2.68 |
HENRY HUDSON BRIDGE | ||
Cash | $3.00 | $4.00 |
E-ZPass | $2.09 | $2.20 |
ROCKAWAY CROSSINGS | ||
Cash | $2.75 | $3.25 |
E-ZPass | $1.71 | $1.80 |
Rockaway Resident E-ZPass | $1.13 | $1.19 |