NYC Tolls on the Rise

Yesterday, official word was handed down that the proposed December 30th hikes for area MTA Bridges and Tunnels received necessary approvals for implementation as outlined.  Unfortunately, this targets yet another group of end users being held accountable for the MTA’s inability to balance a budget.

Both cash customers and EZPass holders alike will see increases at the nine area major crossings and tunnels.  Increases are slated as follows:

For the Throgs Neck, RFK and Whitestone bridges, Queens Midtown and Brooklyn-Battery tunnels, cash tolls increase from $5.50 to $6.50 with E-ZPass fares being raised to $4.80.

The biggest percentage jump is the Henry Hudson where cash tolls increase from $3 to $4 and EZPass being upped to $2.20.

The two Rockaways bridges will see cash go from $2.75 to $3.25, and EZPass increasing to $1.80.

The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge goes from $11 to $13. Staten Island residents who use EZ Pass will get a $2.88 discount.

The official announcement can be found here.  Purportedly, this will be the last increase until 2013.  So what does everyone think?  Will this really be it until 2013?  Will the MTA really see the estimated 7.5% increase in revenue?  The official press release can be found here.