Talk Bronx New York

For whom the hike tolls: Drivers will have to pay 50 cents more to cross bridges and tunnels

Thank a driver today, straphangers.

More than 800,000 daily drivers have to dig deeper into their pockets and pay higher tolls to subsidize the bus, subway and commuter train system.

Tolls for most of the MTA’s major bridges and tunnels have been hiked 50 cents to $5.50 for those paying cash.

The E-ZPass toll is now $4.57, up from $4.15 for the major crossings: The Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge, Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and the Queens Midtown Tunnel.

One-way tolls to use the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge are now $11 cash, up from $10. E-ZPass will set drivers back $9.14, up from $8.30.

“It’s outrageous,” said John Corlett, director of government affairs for Automobile Club of New York.

To help close massive budget gaps, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority this year approved higher fares and tolls.

Subway and bus fares increased about 10% June 28, while Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North fares jumped June 17.

Gov. Paterson in May signed transit-funding legislation that included a payroll tax on businesses in the MTA’s 12-county region, helping avert widespread service cuts.

“What’s saddling the MTA is debt, pension and labor costs,” Corlett said.

“All those things are not addressed,” Corlett added. “The governor and Legislature gave the MTA a bailout with no strings attached.

SOURCE

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