Bridge and Tunnel Tolls to Increase by 7.1% in April

   Out of consideration for New Yorkers’ finances during the pandemic, New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) shelved plans last month to raise fares, but today the agency approved a 7.1% toll increase on bridges and tunnels, in an attempt to begin to recoup the billions of dollars of revenue that was lost by last year's plummeting ridership.

    In April, New York City bridges and tunnels tolls will start charging more, which will greatly benefit the MTA by bringing in an additional $62 million in 2021 and $116 million annually.

    In addition, the new fee for New York E-ZPass users on major crossings will increase to $6.55 from $6.12. Non-E-ZPass motorists will pay $10.17, up from $9.50.

    “Given the pandemic’s devastating impact on our finances, it’s all the more important that we move forward with consideration to toll increases this year,” said Pat Foye, MTA’s chief executive officer, who added that the beleaguered MTA would receive $8 billion in federal funding and $3.4 billion in loans to help it recover from its financial stresses.

     In addition to fears of surfaces and other riders that could be infected with COVID-19, crime on the MTA’s subway system has spiked. While the NYPD has sent 500 additional officers to patrol the subways, the MTA is seeking to double that amount. 

    The agency is getting closer to returning subways to 24-hour service, as this week, the overnight hours that were used for deep cleaning and sanitation were shortened from 1am to 5am to 2am to 4am.

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Oscar Gonzalez.