Cuomo Announces Toll Drop For Staten Islanders Who Take Verrazano
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Relief could soon be on the way for Staten Islanders who take the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo was on Staten Island Thursday afternoon to announce the new effective cost of the toll will drop to $5.50 for Staten Island residents in non-commercial vehicles.
Cuomo Announces Toll Drop For Staten Islanders Who Take Verrazano
Currently, Staten Island E-ZPass users pay between $6 and $6.36 per trip, depending on how often they use the bridge, WCBS 880's Monica Miller reported.
"On a household basis, the $5.50 toll is going to make a significant difference," said Cuomo. "You have some families where the toll bill here is hundreds of dollars per month."
Cuomo Announces Toll Drop For Staten Islanders Who Take Verrazano
Gov. Cuomo announced commercial vehicles with E-ZPass that make more than 10 trips over the span per month will get a 20 percent discount.
"Why? Because the commercial is important. First time it's done because we want the commerce, we want the jobs, we want the businesses," said the governor. "It is the main accessibility to Staten Island. And when you toll that bridge, you toll the main artery and the main line of communication."
The current toll of $15 in cash or $10.66 with E-ZPass for non-Staten Island residents will remain in place.
LINK: Verrazano Toll Info
About 183,000 vehicles cross the span, which connects Brooklyn and Staten Island, each day, according to the governor's office.
The state legislature and the MTA will cover the cost of the $14 million deal.
The toll drop could go into effect April 1 if it's approved by the MTA board. The proposal is expected to be approved at a meeting later this month, 1010 WINS' Roger Stern reported.
The Verrazano is the longest suspension bridge in North America.
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