Addabbo, Amato Hold Press Conference to Announce Bridge Toll Rebate

Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. and Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato joined individuals and other elected officials to announce the rebate for Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge which begins this month. The press conference, which also featured Senator Roxanne Persaud and a representative from Senator James Sanders Jr.’s Office, was held on February 2, 2024, at the Bungalow Bar in Rockaway. 

Under the Queens Resident Toll Rebate Program, the MTA will reimburse all residents with vehicles registered in Queens who use E-Z Pass for trips they make across the span over Jamaica Bay starting February 2024. Legislation that secured funding for the rebate program was introduced by Senator Addabbo and Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato. 

Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. said: “We are about to witness the reimbursement of an unfair toll levied at the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge.  This reversal is a monumental victory and an effort that electeds and residents have been striving to accomplish for decades. This achievement will reimburse residents for the only intra-borough toll in the city, assist the economic growth and enjoyment of the Rockaway peninsula, and could not have been accomplished without the collective efforts of the community, Governor Hochul, the MTA, and elected officials on the state level.”

“Promises made, promises kept! After years of hard work and perseverance, constituents from Lindenwood, Howard Beach, Hamilton Beach, Ozone Park, and all of Queens, will no longer be penalized! Through the legislation that Senator Addabbo and I passed, Queens residents who utilize the New York E-Zpass program and register for the program will get full access to their entire borough, especially the Rockaway Peninsula. This bill and the adoption of the toll rebate for the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge will ensure equity and remove a barrier to secure economic opportunities for everyone in Queens,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato.

Senator James Sanders Jr. said: “The new Queens Resident Toll Rebate Program for the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge by the MTA is a tremendous victory for Southeast Queens residents. As a supporter of the legislation, I want to congratulate Senator Joseph Addabbo and Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato for introducing the bill. I will continue to work to improve transportation options and reduce costs for Southeast Queens residents.”

"I am very pleased that this program is moving forward, and I applaud my colleagues Senator Addabbo and Assemblymember Pheffer Amato,” said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. "It's been a lengthy fight to implement the Cross Bay Bridge Reimbursement Program, but the benefits will make travel easier and more affordable for Queens residents."