Toll collectors: not the best students of history! Once again, a young toll collector has been busted allegedly stealing on the job in the exact same way many a toll collector has been caught before: videotape. more ›

Over the past year, acclaimed traffic engineer Sam Schwartz has been pitching a form of congestion pricing that would lower the tolls on bridges uptown and charge cars traveling the Queensboro, Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn bridges $7 ($5 with E-ZPass). The former traffic commissioner also wants to impose a surcharge on yellow and livery cabs heading over those bridges. This "congestion pricing" (or "Mucous Mulct," as we prefer to call it) would raise $1.2 billion annually. But part of that money would come from a 50-cent toll on cyclists crossing those bridges into Manhattan. more ›

This might seem obvious but...Just because you stopped paying your EZ-Pass bill (or never got an EZ-Pass) doesn't mean the Port Authority will stop charging you for using its bridges and tunnels. In fact, they'll add a $25 administrative fee for each skipped toll. Which can add up fast, as Gemma Schreiber of Staten Island has learned. The PA recently sued Schreiber for $26,664 for skipping out on more than 900 tolls between July 29, 2009 and September of last year. more ›

Watching Wings reruns all day and telling your grandchildren how they never call are just a few of the joys of retirement. But if you worked for the Port Authority, you could also count on a free E-ZPass to cross as many bridges and tunnels as necessary in search of discount Metamucil. But last year, with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's blessing, the PA abolished the free E-ZPasses for retirees to save $1.5 million annually. 65-year-old former PA police sergeant Thomas Westfield believes it's unfair, and is suing. "It's a benefit that I earned and counted on. It was promised to us," he told the Wall Street Journal. No word on the Port Authority's promise to allow retirees to "skip the line at Port Authority Prom." more ›

Are you a Zone A or Far Rockaways resident who needs to leave? You won't have to pay fares or tolls! Evacuating is so awesome! more ›

Commuters weren't happy about the Port Authority's obscene plan to raise tolls 50%, but now Governors Cuomo and Christie—who sit on the PA's board—are crying foul, saying they weren't told of the move despite reports that they had "confidentially signaled their grudging support." A source tells the Post that Cuomo was "shocked and less than pleased" about the proposal, which would hike E-ZPass holders' tolls up to $12 from $8 and cash tolls to $15 from $8. PATH commuters would pay an extra $1 a trip. But how much of this outrage is political theater? more ›

Like so many government agencies the Port Authority—currently bickering with the National September 11th Memorial over $150 million dollars—could use more cash. Which is why it is expected later this afternoon to announce that it will raise the tolls on the region's tunnels and bridges from $8 to $12 next month, with another $2 hike planned for 2014. Oh, and they are also mulling a $1 hike in the PATH fare. more ›

We've always wondered what would happen if you just said "screw it," and drove through the toll booth without paying the fare, laughing heartily into the sunset as George Thorogood blares through your cheap stereo. As it turns out, nothing. Until you rack up $5,254 in unpaid charges. The Port Authority is charging Staten Island resident Alfred Buono with $25K in "administrative fees" after he skipped through open E-Z Pass lanes 998 times without paying. According to the Staten Island Advance, Buono has been getting a free ride since March of 2003. more ›

While we learned yesterday that Europe is doing all it can to encourage people to walk or take public transit instead of their car, New York City is inadvertently doing the same thing thanks to the MTA's toll hikes on bridges and tunnels that went into effect back in December. Car crossings were down 3.9 percent this April from the same month in 2010, and trucks and buses dropped 6.6 percent. Fees at most crossings increased by 18 percent, or around $1, except for the Henry Hudson Bridge, which increased by 33 percent to $4 (if paying cash). All this, the Post reports, resulted in a $6.4 million drop in revenue in the first quarter of 2011. If they can't close their budget gaps from tolls, guess whose fares are about to get hiked up? more ›

We were just beginning to recover from the knowledge that soon our sexy cab drivers might not be able to show their stuff in tube tops anymore, and now City Room drops the bomb that the TLC is planning to eliminate even more "obscure" rules. Except this time, one of the rules doesn't seem too ridiculous. more ›

Starting in January, the prices of tolls and parking meters will both jump. Add that to rising gas prices and you've got a bunch of commuters who aren't happy with the cost of driving into Manhattan. For example, someone driving from the Rockaways into Midtown will pay an average $2,895 more a year. Riverdale resident Anna Arsenous told CBS 2. “Can I afford it? Really not. I’ll have to adjust something else." The MTA is hoping the rising costs of driving will put more people on the subways; a spokesman said, "taking the train or bus will always be the most affordable way to get around New York." And so convenient from the Rockaways! more ›

As the MTA continues to struggle to close its $800 million budget gap, drivers will now have to dig deeper into their pockets to pony up the cash to cross the city's bridges and tunnels. In a measure approved 12-1 today by the MTA board, fares will increase in January by about 18% for drivers paying cash, but only about 5% for those using EZ-Pass. According to a statement sent out by the MTA, fares at the Queens-Midtown Tunnel and Throgs Neck bridge will increase by one dollar (to $6.50) for those paying cash and 23 cents (to $4.80) for those using EZ-Pass. Over at the Verrazano, the cash toll will increase by 2 dollars (bringing the cost of crossing the bridge to $13), and those using EZ-Pass will pay $9.60. more ›

Former MTA chairman and current Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch declared yesterday that East River tolls will come back to haunt us for eternity! The Daily News reports that he told an NYU graduate school class that "User fees will come back and back, and they will happen." The tolls were part of his solution to solve to the MTA's financial crisis; "the so-called Ravitch plan included tolling the East and Harlem River bridges to avert sky-high fare hikes and Draconian service cuts while paying for critical projects." more ›

Various reports say that State Senate Democrats are dropping the plan to toll East River and Harlem River bridge crossings, which has split their party. The Daily News reports that they "are expected to unveil a watered-down MTA bailout that would keep the city's bridges free but leave less money for transit, sources said Monday night." The NY Times calls the new proposal a "short-term alternative" that still leaves unanswered questions for the MTA. more ›

So much for the State Legislature moving forward on a plan to introduce $2 tolls on currently free East River and Harlem River bridges—opposition from State Senators (from even within his own Democratic party as well as other Democratic state and city officials) has forced State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith's hand into delaying any sort of decision by demanding an audit of the MTA's finances. Wait, there was no audit of the MTA's finances before a deal would be made? more ›

With Governor Paterson and the State Legislature working on a deal to help the MTA's finances—by way of introducgin $2 tolls on the East River and Harlem River bridges—lawmakers who oppose the plan have been speaking out. Yesterday, City Comptroller William Thompson and other lawmakers, such as Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat and City Council members John Liu and Robert Jackson, held a press conference to counter the bridge-toll plan. more ›

NY State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith voiced his support for $2 tolls on East River and Harlem River bridges, a proposal from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. However Smith did add, "If reducing the proposed East River Bridges toll results in higher fare increases, fewer service add-ons and layoffs, then it may not achieve the intended goals any toll would have to meet for it to be a prudent option." more ›

With the MTA's finances in desperate, dire shape, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has "proposed a compromise on Wednesday that endorses putting tolls on the bridges over the East River and the Harlem River," the NY Times reports. The idea to toll the currently free bridges came up last November, but opposition from drivers has been fierce. Silver offered a compromise to charge $2 tolls to drivers—which is what subway and bus riders pay—and said, Obviously there are some who don’t like the toll. And I put that in the juxtaposition of, ‘Look, this is the only game in town.’” But Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Queens) told the TImes, “Tolling the bridges is just not acceptable to me. Once you cross the Rubicon on tolling bridges the future conversation is merely, ‘How much is the periodic increase going to be?’" more ›

In order for one of the most controversial suggestions of Thursday's Ravitch Commission report--tolls at all of the now-free East River crossings--to become a reality, it appears right there may be too many political tolls for them to become a reality. more ›

Ravitch Commission Chairman Richard Ravitch did not hold back in responding to critics who immediately came out griping against some of the suggestions to fix the MTA's code red budget in Thursday's report. He told the Daily News, "Obviously, I have to assume they must know of some secret fairy godmother who has piles of money she is going to send and solve the problem. Otherwise, they'd better damn well explain how the system is going to be paid for." The Ravitch Commision's report had immediately drawn criticism from those in the outer boroughs who felt that putting tolls on all bridges coming into Manhattan put an unfair burden on them. Ravitch stands behind the plan that he says will hit drivers, transit riders and employers equally. more ›

Yesterday, the Ravitch Commission released its recommendations for closing the MTA's budget gap. You can read the report here (PDF) or take a look at the highlights, which include: An 8% bus, subway and commuter train fare hike; adding tolls to the now-free Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges as well as the Harlem RIver bridges (no toll booths, just EZ Pass or bills sent to drivers); and a "mobility tax" for employers in 12 counties "equal to one-third of one percent of wages ($330 per each $100,000 in payroll)," according to the Daily News. more ›

After much speculation and the local papers preparing commuters for what was to come, the MTA made their official budget proposal today and as expected, the cutbacks were dramatic. In addition to the slashing of the W and the Z lines among other cuts listed Tuesday, today's 2009 budget also included the following: more ›

Last week, WCBS 2 first mentioned that the MTA might consider adding tolls to the free East River bridges--the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg and 59th Street--as a way to raise much-needed revenue. Now, Governor Paterson confirmed to the news station, "I think that very accurately we may have to look at tolls on the bridges right in the city... The MTA itself which has a deficit, a debt, which is higher than 46 states, now has an $11-14 billion deficit, so I'm not surprised that they're suggesting drastic remedies." Projected revenue, if the bridges were to be tolled, could be $1 billion...that is, if people, who are freaked out by the prospect, keep driving. And the MTA might also have to sock it to subway and bus riders, by raising the base fare (this week's speculation: up to $3 to close the budget gap!). more ›

Some more details about rumors that the MTA is considering tolls for the Brooklyn, Manhattan, 59th Street and Williamsburg Bridges. Apparently this proposal will be included in the Ravtich Commission's recommendation for ways for the MTA to raise revenue. Governor Paterson convened the commission after countless warnings from the agency about its dire financial situation. more ›

Just because congestion pricing didn't pass doesn't mean that tolls aren't possible on East River crossings: WCBS 2 reports that the MTA is considering tolling all Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, and 59th Street Bridges in order to deal with its huge budget gaps. Transportation engineer Sam Schwartz points out, "We already have tolls at the Battery Tunnel, Midtown Tunnel, the Triborough Bridge let's put pricing on all of the crossings in between... People coming into the city should be paying for some of the service they get." Tolling the four bridges might raise $1 billion; another possibilitiy is "to have tolls only during morning and evening rush hours." And about congestion pricing...given the city's financial picture, "A top transit source told CBS 2 HD the mayor's full congestion pricing plan is also back on the table. " Snap! more ›

Anyone who has ever been scraping for quarters out of the armrest storage console as a line of toll booths approaches has probably wondered just what would happen if you went through an E-Z pass lane despite not having one of the scannable tags on your windshield. Well, if you ever went through with it, you'd be just 1,086 illegal trips through an E-Z Pass lane behind Catherine Cappelluti. Records show the Weehawken resident owes the Port Authority $32,879 in unpaid tolls from taking advantage of the unmanned lanes. She received 361 citations between 1998 and 2004. Her excuse? She claims her boyfriend did it. The Port Authority lost $14 million last year in unpaid tolls. more ›

As the MTA looks for any possible source of revenue, it has made a bold suggestion: The agency wants city departments to pay tolls over MTA bridge and tunnel crossings. As WCBS 2 puts it, that includes "firefighters and police responding to emergencies or calls to service." Currently, those city departments are using about 11,000 free E-ZPass tags, so if the MTA gets its way, then the city would need to pay for the approximate 300,000 crossings each year. (The MTA also emphasizes it wouldn't stop responders heading to a scene.) A spokesman for Mayor Bloomberg called it "an underhanded attempt to increase the city's already large subsidy of the MTA by charging the city for responding to emergencies or performing other essential services." Uh, the city's subsidy to the MTA hasn't really changed since 1990, according to the IBO. more ›

At a hearing about how the MTA could address its budget problems, some old and new ideas were tossed around. One notable suggestion, from former city transportation commissioner Luicius Riccio, was, per the NY Sun, "that the city should consider selling the Williamsburg and Manhattan bridges for $1 to the MTA, which could then charge tolls on commuters and use the revenue to finance mass transit improvements." Theodore Kheel, of Nurture New York's Nature (and good friend of Charles Rangel), also suggested some components of congestion pricing and reiterated his call to make the subways free. The Ravitch Commission, convened by Governor Paterson, will reportedly look at all the ideas--including "congestion pricing lite"--and will issue a report later this year about the state's growing transportation issues. Two more hearings will be held this month. more ›

"Uncompensated" MTA board members are not the only ones benefiting from a policy of free E-ZPasses. As the board found it necessary to pass toll and fare hikes to regular commuters, it made sure that not only were they insulated from the cost of traveling around NYC, but their wives were as well. One member even gave his girlfriend an all-inclusive Metro-North rail pass. The value of these perks is in the thousands of dollars annually for each individual. more ›