Verrazano Bridge Toll To Increase To $13

The MTA Board is expected to pass a slew of proposed bridge and tunnel toll hikes around the city today, including a new $13.00 charge to cash-paying commuters crossing the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

For E-ZPass users the Verrazano will raise to $9.60 from $9.14.

The original plan was to raise all tolls on bridges and tunnels 10 percent across the board. But the Staten Island Borough Jackass President proposed that the raises only affect cash customers, slapping them with a 27 to 33 percent increase. That structure would have saved Staten Islanders quite a bit of cash, as the borough has the highest rate of E-ZPass users, representing yet another attempt by Staten Island to shift its financial responsibilities onto the other boroughs.

Regardless, a modified plan won out that increased E-ZPass tolls by some (5 percent), and the cash tolls by more (18 percent).

Locally, the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge will rise to $3 from $2.50 for cash payments, and $1.80 from $1.42 for E-ZPass payments.

If passed, the increases will go into effect on December 30.