Governor Cuomo Announces Cashless Tolling Begins on Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
Cashless Tolling Began at 3 AM on Saturday, July 8
Commuters Encouraged to
Sign Up For E-Zpass And Save 30-50 Percent on Tolls
Improves Traffic Flow and Reduces Emissions on Vital New York City Artery
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced cashless tolling began on the
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge at 3 a.m. on July 8th. Implementing cashless
tolling on the Verrazano Bridge will reduce congestion and improve travel
for motorists in time for additional traffic anticipated due to Amtrak
summer repair work. As part of the transition to a more convenient and
cost effective way to travel New York’s crossings, the Governor
is encouraging all commuters to sign up for an E-ZPass and save on tolls
across the state, including 30 to 50 percent at bridges and tunnels in
New York City.
"The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is a vital transportation artery for
New York City, and cashless tolling will improve safety, reduce congestion
and streamline travel between Staten Island and Brooklyn,"
Governor Cuomo said. "By transitioning to Cashless Tolling, we are modernizing our transportation
infrastructure and easing commutes for current and future generations
of New Yorkers."
The accelerated implementation of cashless tolling is one component of
the Governor's mitigation plan to combat the Pennsylvania Station
summer crisis. Amtrak is proposing repairs that would reduce the number
of trains at Pennsylvania Station by approximately 20 percent during peak
travel times and as a result, commuters searching for alternative methods
of transportation will crush an already overburdened subway system and
clog roads and bridges. More information is available
here.
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge joins the RFK Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge,
Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, Queens Midtown Tunnel, and Rockaway Bridges (Cross
Bay and Marine Parkway), where sensors and cameras suspended over the
highway on structures known as "gantries" read E-ZPass tags
and take license plate images, so vehicles no longer have to stop and
pay the toll. The Throgs Neck Bridge will go cashless in September 2017
and the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge in October 2017.
Vehicles with E-ZPass tags are automatically charged, and vehicles without
E-ZPass have their license plate recorded and a bill is mailed to the
registered owner of the vehicle. E-ZPass tags should always be mounted
and never waved to ensure that the tag is properly read and that the driver’s
attention is not diverted from crossing the facility safely.
Cashless Tolling is projected to save commuters up to 21 hours of drive time every year. It also reduces emissions and significantly decreases the amount of fuel burned by drivers, who will no longer have to stop and wait to pay tolls. This will conserve approximately one million gallons of fuel and save $2.3 million each year.
To ensure that all users of toll facilities pay their fair share, a series
of enforcement measures are in place to tackle toll payment evasion and
chronic toll scofflaws. Customers who do not pay their tolls are subject
to violation fees, registration suspensions, and other enforcement actions.
Late fees accrue if an initial toll bill is unpaid, and if a second notice
is also ignored, violation fees of up to $100 per toll violation may be imposed.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has enacted regulation
that allows suspension of the vehicle registration of motorists with three
or more unpaid tolls, violation fees and other charges resulting from
violations on different days and of commercial vehicle owners with $200
or more in unpaid tolls and violation fees within a period of five years,
who ignore toll authorities' repeated notices.
Everyone is encouraged to visit to
sign up and save 30-50 percent on tolls. E-ZPass “On-the-Go” tags
will continue to be sold in all cash lanes at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
until July 8 and at Bronx-Whitestone through October, Throgs Neck through
September. Tags cost $30 and come with $20 in prepaid tolls and have a
$10 refundable deposit, which is waived if the tag is linked to a credit
card or bank account for automated replenishment. E-ZPass tags can also
be purchased at local DMV offices.
For drivers who don’t have E-ZPass and drive through a cashless
tolling facility, the registered vehicle owner will receive a Toll Bill
in the mail. Drivers who receive a bill can pay it online at the Tolls
by Mail website, by mail, over the phone, or in-person, and payment options
include check, credit card, bank account, or cash. Customers who call
**826 from most mobile devices will receive a text with a link to the
Tolls by Mail website and information on how to set up a Pay Toll Now
account that can be used by rental car customers.
For additional information on cashless tolling and E-ZPass, click
here or call 1-800-333-8655 (TOLL).