STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- A push by members of Congress and MTA officials to resurrect split tolling on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge was officially unveiled Sunday at a press conference on Staten Island.
New legislation would put an end to commercial and passenger drivers abusing one-way tolling at the cost of residents in three boroughs, according to proponents of the legislation.
Rep. Max Rose and several of his government colleagues announced a a proposal for a return of split tolling return of split tolling to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday April 28, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/ Paul Liotta)
“Out of state folks are using the one-way toll to sneak into Manhattan and leave without paying a dime, while the rest of us get hammered every single day," said Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn).
One-way tolling was established in the 1980s as way to reduce congestion, long before the technology for cashless tolling existed.
The new toll would cost out-of-towners $9.50 in both directions, with all discounts for Staten Island residents remaining in place. There also remains a push, which Rose says he supports, to reduce fares for Brooklyn residents who commute to Staten Island.
Rep. Max Rose and several of his government colleagues announced a proposal for the return of split tolling to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday April 28, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/ Paul Liotta)
The cost for E-Z Pass users also would remain the same, except half would be charged entering Staten Island from Brooklyn, and the other half would be charged exiting, officials said.
In addition to raising additional revenue from out-of-state drivers, the new system should reduce congestion from Staten Island through southern Brooklyn and in lower Manhattan, proponents say.
Among those who stood alongside Rose in support of the amendment Sunday were Congress members Jerrold Nadler, (D- Manhattan/Brooklyn), Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn/ Lower Manhattan/Queens) and MTA Chairman Patrick Foye.
Rep. Max Rose and several of his government colleagues announced a proposal for the return of split tolling to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday April 28, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/ Paul Liotta)
“The fact you have three members of Congress standing before you today and the chairman of MTA... tells you that this change will benefit thousands of New Yorkers every single day.”
The move also would generate new revenue to address transportation needs on Staten Island, said MTA Chairman Pat Foye.
"The MTA has been laser focus on making public transit better for Staten Islanders, whether it’s improving bus service or looking for more ways to add public transit here on Staten Island... and we have a lot more planned. "
Rep. Max Rose and several of his government colleagues announced a proposal for the return of split tolling to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday April 28, 2019. Rose is pictured speaking with MTA Chairman Patrick Foye. (Staten Island Advance/ Paul Liotta)