Provides for discounted tokens and other payment devices for the Triborough, Bronx-Whitestone and Throgs Neck bridges in certain cases

6 Co-sponsors

• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Craig M. Johnson
• Jeffrey D. Klein
• John L. Sampson
• Toby Ann Stavisky
• Antoine M. Thompson

Title of bill

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to tokens and other payment devices for the Triborough, Bronx-Whitestone and Throgs Neck bridges

Purpose or general idea of bill

To provide greater equity in the manner in which the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) offers discounts for commuters who use their facilities. Specifically, this bill would provide commuters who use the Triborough, Bronx-Whitestone and Throgs Neck bridges with the same discount offered to residents of Staten Island (Richmond County) for crossings over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Summary of provisions

Section 553-j of the Public Authorities Law is amended to require the TBTA to offer for sale tokens and other payment devices that shall entitle the purchaser to crossings over the Triborough, Bronx-Whitestone and Throgs Neck bridges at a cost discounted by the same percentage discount of the regular crossing fare currently offered to residents of the county of Richmond for crossings over the Verrazano- Narrows Bridge.

Justification

Bridge commuters in and around the New York City metropolitan region shall be provided the same discounts at each TBTA bridge. Under the present "system", various discounts exist at TBTA bridges, with residents of Staten Island, Richmond County) enjoying the largest discount.

To help correct this inequity, this legislation would require the TBTA to offer similar discounts at the Triborough, Bronx-Whitestone and Throgs Neck bridges, as offered to residents of Staten Island for crossings of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Legislative history

1997-08 Referred to Transportation

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the 30th day after it shall have become a law.