What's happening
This bill requires the Thruway Authority to offer a 40% toll discount and surcharge exemption for Rockland and Westchester residents crossing the Tappan Zee Bridge.
Why it matters
Direct financial relief for local commuters. By mandating a 40% toll discount, the bill aims to ease the financial burden on Rockland and Westchester residents who regularly use the Tappan Zee Bridge, potentially saving frequent commuters hundreds of dollars per year.
Permanent exemption from future surcharges. The legislation not only provides a discount but also guarantees that these residents will be shielded from any additional surcharges above 2019 levels, offering long-term predictability and protection from future toll hikes.
Potential impact on Thruway Authority revenue. The bill could reduce toll revenue collected from a significant segment of bridge users, possibly affecting funding for maintenance or other projects unless offset by state support or higher rates for non-residents.
Equity and regional fairness considerations. By singling out two counties for special treatment, the bill may prompt debates about fairness for residents of other areas who use the bridge, as well as setting a precedent for similar discounts on other major crossings.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Discount Tolls for Local Residents
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
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.
Discount Tappan Zee Tolls
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5464
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 1, 2019
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to allowing the New York state thruway authority to offer a discounted toll rate to residents of Rockland and Westchester counties for Tappan Zee bridge crossings
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 354-a to read as follows:
§ 354-a. Resident discount. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, but subject to agreements with noteholders and bondholders, the authority shall offer a discounted toll rate for Tappan Zee bridge crossings to residents of the county of Rockland and the county of Westchester and may, except as otherwise provided in this section, regulate the use thereof. The discount for residents of the county of Rockland and the county of Westchester shall entitle such residents to crossings over the Tappan Zee bridge at a reduced cost of sixty per centum of the regular crossing fare imposed on nonresidents of the county of Rockland and the county of Westchester. In the event the authority shall impose a surcharge in addition to the regular toll for crossings over the Tappan Zee bridge, such surcharge shall not be deemed a part of the regular crossing fare for purposes of this section, and the discount offered to the residents of the county of Rockland and the county of Westchester as herein provided shall also entitle such residents to a permanent exemption from the payment of any such surcharge in an amount equal to the amount of any such surcharge imposed during calendar year two thousand nineteen. Application for such discount 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.
LBD05286-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to allowing the New York state thruway authority to offer a discounted toll rate to residents of Rockland and Westchester counties for Tappan Zee bridge crossings
Purpose
This bill will provide Rockland and Westchester residents with a discount resident rate for Tappan Zee Bridge crossings at 60% of the original toll.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Adds a new section 354-a to the public authorities law to permit the Thruway authority, subject to agreements with noteholders and bondholders, to offer a discounted toll, at 60% of the original toll, to residents of Rockland and Westchester counties for Tappan Zee bridge crossings.
Section 2. Effective date.
Justification
As the construction of the replacement for the Tappan Zee bridge moves forward, we must keep in mind the residents of Rockland and Westchester who will bear the burden of paying for anticipated increase in tolls. Rockland residents currently lack a one seat mass transit option to Manhattan and, given that many residents do not have an alternative mass transit option, a discounted toll is warranted. The County of Rockland currently pays more than $40 million to the MTA annually than it receives back in services. This value gap demonstrates the importance of the new Tappan Zee Bridge to the region and the need to address the lack of mass transit available to residents of Rockland and Westchester coun- ties.
Legislative history
2107-18: S1407/A1313 - TRANSPORTATION/corporations 2015-16: S1659A/A1487A - Transportation/Corporations, Authorities & Commissions 2013-14: S1996-A/A1198-A - Transportation/Corporations, Authorities & Commissions 2012: S7094/A9831 - Transportation/Corporations, Authorities & Commis- sions
Fiscal implications
To be determined; there are currently commuter rates that are offered and this legislation would have similar impact.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.