How will the rise in MTA tolls affected drivers on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge?
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge will charge $11 for cash paying cars and $9.14 for E-ZPass holders going westbound. Trucks will pay $22 for cash and $16.50 for E-ZPass. Staten Island residents are eligible for discounts on this bridge. Sources: Queens Courier Yesterday’s MTA fare and toll hike hearing brought out around 80 angry Staten Islanders who spoke passionately about the need to save their transit service and keep their commuting costs low. Along with them, a host of local elected officials also joined the fray last night at the College of Staten Island. The MTA’s proposal, meant to plug a $1.2 billion budget deficit, calls for possibly raising the cost of a single local bus or subway ride from $2 to $3, and express bus fares from $5 to $6.25. In addition, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge tolls could rise from $10 to $13. Drivers who rely on the Verrazano to travel to work, doctors’ appointments and to visit with family and friends balked at the toll hike on a bridge that forces Island dri
The one-way toll (paid westbound into Staten Island only) in cash is $10 per car or $4.50 per motorcycle. E-ZPass users get a discount of $1.70 per car. As of March 2007[update], there is a reduced toll of $4.80 for Staten Island residents. There is also a significant carpool discount. From 1964 to 1986, the toll was collected in both directions, until Staten Island residents concerned about pollution from idling vehicles called for one way tolls. However, as of 2009[update] the eastbound toll booths are still in place, requiring drivers to slow down. While the high cost of the toll between Brooklyn and Staten Island has always been an issue for residents, some[who?] favor the toll because they see it as a way to curb population growth on Staten Island. Each of the four bridges to the Island are tolled. Recently, residents living on both ends of the bridge have lobbied for pedestrian access. In October 2003, Mayor Michael Bloomberg promised to look into establishing the long-awaited pe
