What's happening
This bill requires the sale of discounted bridge and tunnel tokens to New York senior citizens, providing 50% off and surcharge exemptions.
Why it matters
Makes bridge and tunnel travel more affordable for seniors. By mandating a 50% discount on tolls (after all other eligible discounts), this bill could significantly reduce transportation costs for New Yorkers aged 60 and above, potentially making it easier for them to travel for work, medical care, or family reasons.
Guarantees exemption from future surcharges. The bill protects seniors not only from current but also from any new surcharges that might be added to tolls in the future—offering long-term savings and predictability in travel expenses.
Requires a formal application process. Seniors will need to apply for the discounted tokens or payment devices, ensuring that only eligible individuals benefit, but also potentially creating an administrative hurdle for some.
Could set a precedent for other discounts and vulnerable groups. By establishing a statutory right to toll discounts for seniors, this measure could open the door to similar legislation for other groups, such as people with disabilities or low-income residents.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Half-Price Tolls for Seniors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Half-Price Tolls for Seniors
In Senate Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Andrew J. Lanza
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
751
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CUSICK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to discounted bridge and tunnel tokens issued to senior citizens
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 553-j to read as follows:
§ 553-j. Senior citizen discount tokens. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, but subject to agreements with noteholders and bondholders, the authority shall offer for sale to senior citizens age sixty years or older, tokens or other payment devices, and may, except as otherwise provided in this section, regulate the use thereof. Such tokens or other payment devices shall entitle senior citizens to crossings over the bridges and tunnels operated by the authority at a reduced cost of fifty percent of the regular fare or toll imposed. Such senior citizen discount shall be applied after any and all other discounts that the senior citizen may be legally entitled to by law have been applied. In the event the authority shall impose a surcharge in addition to the regular toll for crossings over such bridges and tunnels, such surcharge shall not be deemed a part of the regular crossing fare for purposes of this section and the tokens or other payment devices offered for sale to senior citizens as herein provided shall also entitle the purchaser to a permanent exemption from the payment of any surcharge. Application for such tokens or other payment devices shall be made in such manner as prescribed by the authority and shall contain such information as the authority may reasonably require.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00243-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.