In December 2016, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced “Open Road Tolling” that will be operational at all Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Bridges and Tunnels by the end of 2017.
The Verrazano Bridge transitions to “Cashless Tolling” on Saturday July 8, 2017. This transition incorporates new enforcement and security initiatives.
Enforcement and Security
The MTA Cashless Toll plan brings increased enforcement and security to MTA crossings, such as the Verrazano Bridge. Security teams, comprised of an additional 150 State Troopers, National Guard units and MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officers will focus on public safety and toll enforcement. In an effort to establish uniformity and increased presence, Governor Cuomo instructed the MTA to paint all Bridge and Tunnel Officer vehicles to match the colors of New York State Police vehicles.
At each Bridge and Tunnel crossing, advanced cameras and sensors will be installed to read license plates and test emerging facial recognition software and equipment. These technologies will also be utilized across airports and transit hubs, establishing a system-wide anti-terrorism plan. Or maybe the aim is a bit different? Read more at www.floridaticketfirm.com/police-quotas-traffic-citations-fact-fiction/.
Enforcement of unpaid tolls will be a top priority. New state laws and regulations have strengthened penalties for those who evade paying tolls. Toll scofflaws are now subject to $50 violation fees, car registration suspensions, and other enforcement actions in addition to late fees that accrue when an initial toll bill is unpaid. If the vehicle is registered in New York and the owner fails to respond to 3 bills requesting payment, the vehicle’s registration may be suspended.
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Verrazano Bridge – Staten Island Resident Carpool Program
“The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is the only one of our MTA crossings where we have a carpool plan, and those Staten Island residents in the current resident discount program will have their carpool tickets replaced with E-tickets, which will require eligible Staten Island residents to use an E-ZPass tag in an eligible Staten Island registered vehicle,” the MTA said in a statement. The MTA and E-ZPass have mailed forms to current Staten Island Resident Carpool participants to apply for the HOV Mode E-ZPass, which will also serve as the traditional E-ZPass tag at other crossings and when the motorist has less than 3 occupants when crossing the Verrazano Bridge. After receiving the HOV tag you will have to return the traditional E-ZPass tag in the pre-paid envelope sent to you.
If you are a current Verrazano Bridge Carpool Plan participant you should have a received a letter with an HOV E-ZPass Tag request form. Fill it out and send it in. If you have leftover paper carpool tickets you can request a refund by mailing them to; TBTA Staten Island Resident Carpool Ticket Refund, Revenue Management,
2 Broadway, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10004
Requests will be processed within four to six weeks.
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Port Authority: Bayonne Bridge – Cashless Tolls, Carpool Program
The Port Authority of NY & NJ implemented All Electronic Toll Collections on the Bayonne Bridge. The Bayonne Bridge is the only Port Authority Staten Island crossing transitioning to Cashless Toll Collection at this time.
The Port Authority has removed the carpool option at the Bayonne Bridge since there are no longer toll collectors present to verify the number of occupants in the vehicle. The Goethals Bridge and Outerbridge Crossings will continue to have both E-ZPass and cash toll options as well as the carpool option.
The Bayonne Bridge cashless toll system works similar to the MTAs system. A bill will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner when the vehicle crosses the Bayonne Bridge without an E-ZPass. If the vehicle is registered in New York and the toll is not paid after 3 attempts for collection the vehicle’s registration may be suspended for failure to pay.
By Community Education Council 31 President Michael Reilly
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