Yesterday, the Port Authority announced a modification to their proposal that would keep the monthly trip threshold for Staten Island residents to three. Currently, the Staten Island Bridges Plan offers E-ZPass tolls of $6.25 at the Goethals, Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing for three trips.

Following a bipartisan opposition from lawmakers, advocate groups and residents to proposed changes to the Staten Island Bridges Plan, the Port Authority modified their proposal that would have increased the monthly threshold to 10.

The proposal which is set to be voted on tomorrow by the Port Authority’s Board of Commissioners would have limited the number of drivers who qualify for the resident discount by offering residents a 50% discount during peak hours, by increasing the necessary trip threshold from three to ten. The proposal to increase the discounted toll from $6.25 to $6.88 remains.

“I’ve made the issue of expanding affordable, accessible and secure transportation a priority for the residents of the North Shore on Staten Island. I advocated on behalf of residents who voiced their opposition during the Port Authority’s public comment process that secured the modification outcome.

I want to acknowledge the collaborative efforts of Borough President Oddo, Assemblymember’s Michael Cusick, Mike Reilly, Nicole Malliotakis, Senator’s Andrew Lanza and Diane Savino on the aforementioned topic and for standing up for Staten Island residents.

I along with my legislative colleagues was able to negotiate during the 2019 State Budget, to keep the resident toll at $5.50 for the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. As a majority member of the Assembly Corporations Committee, my legislation to extend the MTA Mentor Program for inspiring entrepreneurs was passed into law. We passed legislation that will protect our children being transported to and from school by expanding the use of speed cameras in New York City school zones and on school busses

I remain committed to bringing a bus rapid transit (BRT) to the North Shore and will continue to advocate against the financial burdens that hinder Island residents that travel to and from the borough,” said Assemblyman Charles D. Fall.