NEW YORK—Staten Island residents could receive large toll decreases if a plan proposed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is approved by the board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Cuomo detailed the discount plan to the Staten Island Advance newspaper in a conference call this weekend.
The plan would have E-ZPass holders pay full price during their first two trips over Staten Island’s three Port Authority crossings within a 30-day period, then $4.75 per trip. Current E-ZPass rates vary throughout the day from $7.50 to $9.50, while the cash toll is $12.
E-ZPass’s current Staten Island Bridges Plan gives a discounted toll rate of $4.75 over three bridges: Goethals Bridge, Bayonne Bridge, and the Outerbridge Crossing. The problem for some Staten Island residents is that at least 10 trips are required within 30 days, or unused trips are charged up to $47.50.
“We truly all understand the problems and the obstacles Staten Island residents face,” Cuomo told the Advance. Cuomo said state Sen. Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, and Patrick Foye, executive director of the Port Authority, helped with the deal.
“We want to do everything we can to make the situation as fair as possible for Staten Island residents,” Cuomo said.
Port Authority directors will vote on the plan Thursday during a scheduled board meeting. If passed, the plan would start in 30 to 60 days.
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