Governor Cuomo Announces Robert F. Kennedy Bridge to Begin Cashless Tolling June 15
Cash No Longer Accepted on RFK Bridge Beginning June 15, 2017
Cashless Tolling Will Reduce Congestion and Improve Travel Time for all Motorists
All Commuters Encouraged to Sign up for E-ZPass and Save 30-50 Percent
on Tolls at
MTA.info/E-ZPass
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced cashless tolling will begin
on the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge on June 15. Implementing cashless tolling
on the RFK Bridge will reduce congestion and improve travel for motorists
in time for the summer travel season. 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 all MTA
bridges and tunnels in New York City.
"A critical route for both commuters and visitors, cashless tolling
on the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge will improve the safety of all motorists
and reduce congestion to streamline travel between Queens, Manhattan,
and the Bronx,"
Governor Cuomo said. "By transitioning to cashless tolling at New York's crossings,
we are transforming our transportation infrastructure to meet the needs
of 21st century travelers, while providing safe and easy commutes for
generations to come."
The RFK Bridge joins Henry Hudson Bridge, Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, Queens
Midtown Tunnel, and Rockaway Bridges, 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. 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 or open road tolling will be the method of toll collection at
all MTA Bridges and Tunnels’ facilities this year. The schedule
is as follows:
- Verrazano-Narrows Bridge – July 2017
- Throgs Neck Bridge – September 2017
- Bronx-Whitestone Bridge – October 2017
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 start waiting to pay tolls. This will conserve approximately one million
gallons of fuel and save $2.3 million each year.
"I am excited to see cashless tolling come to the RFK Bridge. The
benefits of this technology will provide customers with a smoother ride
at all of our facilities, making it easier for New Yorkers to get where
they need to go,"
said
Veronique Hakim, MTA Interim Executive Director. "The accelerated schedule we are undertaking to bring Cashless Tolling
to all of our facilities in 2017 underscores our commitment to investing
in New York's transportation network to meet the needs of a growing
region."
To ensure that all users of MTA 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 who fail
to pay three tolls, violation fees, and other charges resulting from violations
on different days, within a period of five years, and ignore toll authorities'
repeated notices.
"Most customers already get it—with E-ZPass, it’s a fast
commute and the lowest cost,"
said MTA Bridges and Tunnels Acting President Tim Mulligan. "But what some people still don’t know is we have eliminated
the excuses not to get E-ZPass. You don’t need a credit card or
even a car, and as all our crossings go “Cashless” it makes
more sense than ever to get E-ZPass."
Everyone is encouraged to visit
MTA.info/E-ZPass to sign up and save 30-50 percent on MTA tolls. E-ZPass “On-the-Go”
tags will continue to be sold in all cash lanes at the RFK until June
15, and at Bronx-Whitestone, Throgs Neck, and Verrazano-Narrows Bridges.
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.
E-ZPass accounts can be funded in several different ways. The most popular
is automatic replenishment with a credit/debit card or automatic deductions
from a bank account. MTA customers who don't like pre-paying for tolls,
maintaining a minimum balance or providing a credit card, can also choose
MTA's Pay Per Trip plan. This plan allows you to link a checking account
to your E-ZPass account to pay for trips as you go.
Those customers who prefer cash can use the MTA Reload Card to conveniently
refill accounts at any of the 2,500 Visa ReadyLink locations throughout
the region or pay in cash at one of the three regional E-ZPass walk-in
service centers. The MTA Reload Card is not a credit card; it simply identifies
the account for the cash reload.
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, please visit
MTA.info/cashless or call 1-800-333-8655 (TOLL).