SERINO CALLS FOR PAUSE ON TOLL INCREASES

HYDE PARK, NY–Senator Sue Serino today is calling for a pause on implementing scheduled toll increases on Hudson Valley Bridges. 

Senator Sue Serino said, “At a time when every penny counts for most New York families, we should not be increasing tolls. The only people who are regularly utilizing the bridges right now are essential workers. These are the very people who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, and they should not have to bear the burden of increased costs associated with traveling to and from the jobs we rely on them for. The Bridge Authority has done a great job keeping costs down and staving off toll increases for nearly a decade. Pausing this increase for the time being is one way we can continue to honor those who are doing their part during this time to keep our community safe and healthy.” 

Just last month, the NYS Bridge Authority recently experienced no substantial opposition to the proposed modest toll hike that will bring tolls on the Hudson Valley Bridges it operates from $1.25 to $1.65 by 2023 for passenger vehicles with E-ZPass. Cars without E-ZPass, which are currently charged $1.50, will be charged $2.15 by 2023. 

The first scheduled toll increase is set to take effect on May 1, 2020 and would raise current tolls by $0.10 for those with E-ZPass and by $0.25 for those without it. Bridges impacted by the plan include the Newburgh-Beacon, Bear Mountain, Kingston-Rhinecliff, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson and the Rip Van Winkle.

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