Friday, July 7, 2017

Cashless Tolling Begins on Verrazano-Narrows Bridge


Cashless tolling will begin 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, call 1-800-333-8655 (TOLL).
 
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

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