MTA Postpones Planned Expansion Of Cross Bay Bridge Toll Rebate

QUEENS, NY — The MTA is suspending a planned toll rebate for Queens residents driving across the Cross Bay Bridge as its revenue plummets during the coronavirus pandemic, state legislators said Tuesday.

The refund, which would go through E-ZPass and apply to drivers whose cars are registered in Queens, was due to go into effect this summer but is now indefinitely postponed.

“To say I’m disappointed by the postponement of the Queens Resident Cross Bay Bridge Rebate is an understatement, but I understand that the MTA is experiencing never before seen economic hardship and tough decisions have to be made during unprecedented times,” Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato said. “We fought so hard for this, for our communities, and it was seen as something that would never be able to happen."

Under the current rebate program, Broad Channel and Far Rockaway residents pay a discounted toll of $1.41 with their E-ZPass, then receive a refund for that amount from the MTA, which operates several bridges citywide.

Crossing the bridge, which connects Far Rockaway to the rest of the borough, costs other drivers $2.29 with an E-ZPass or $4.75 without one, according to the MTA.

The bridge is the city's only crossing that requires drivers to pay a toll to travel within the same borough, according to QNS.com.

"We remain optimistic that once we have the Coronavirus under control, the Cross Bay Bridge will be free for Queens residents, and encourage more people to visit the Rockaways and support the local businesses," State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., said.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is facing up to $8.5 billion in losses this year as ridership drops while New York City battles the outbreak of the new coronavirus, according to chairman and CEO Pat Foye.