Finally! A toll rebate for Bronx Henry Hudson Bridge drivers

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz was happy to finally able to make good on his promise to deliver a toll rebate for Bronx drivers using the Henry Hudson Bridge.

Nearly four years after the negotiation for the state budget plan to institute congestion pricing in Manhattan’s central business district, elimination of the now $3.18 one-way toll for Bronx drivers will become a reality in February.

Assemblyman Dinowitz led the drive for the rebate to give Bronx residents somewhat of a respite from ever-increasing tolls.

“I worked very hard during the budget negotiations to make this available for all Bronxites,” Dinowitz said in a statement. “It is only fair that residents of the Bronx are not subjected to an extra toll when crossing this particular bridge into Manhattan, especially given that every other bridge providing access to Manhattan from the Bronx is toll-free.”

State Sen. Gustavo Rivera is happy his constituents have gotten such a break.

“This important rebate is a welcome perk for those eligible residents in my district who use the Henry Hudson Bridge,” he said. “I want to thank the Legislature for securing funding for this important program as I will be always be thrilled when Bronx residents can benefit from more affordable transit.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last Thursday that Bronx residents who have an E-ZPass account won’t have to pay the toll. The governor also announced a similar rebate available for Queens residents who take the Cross Bay Bridge into Manhattan.

“We are making travel easier and more affordable for working families in the Bronx and Queens who rely on the Henry Hudson and Cross Bay bridges,” Hochul said in a statement. “Whether it’s through the rebate program or the historic increases in MTA service we’re implemented, I am committed to making travel more accessible to all New Yorkers.”

The rebate, which will be funded by the Outer Borough Transportation Account created in 2018, came about as part of the 2019 state budget negotiations to get the ball rolling on congestion pricing in Manhattan’ central business district. The way the rebate works is drivers with an E-ZPass account will be assessed the $3.18 to cross the bridge and then be automatically credited that money after they complete the trip.

More than 75,000 vehicles per day cross the bridge each weekday and more than 63,000 on the weekends, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The rebate would cost MTA about $6 million a year in lost revenue. But funds for the rebate will come from the Outer Borough Transportation Account.

On the other hand, the MTA board approved the congestion pricing plan for vehicles entering Manhattan from 60th Street to the tip of the financial district downtown recently.

That means, when implemented, passenger vehicles would be charged $15, trucks anywhere from $24-$36 depending on size and motorcycles $7.50. Taxis would face a $1.25 surcharge per ride and rideshare services a $2.50 surcharge. The rates would be in effect from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. each weekday, and 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on the weekends.

“The Legislature implemented this fund in a way that allows the regional toll system to continue evolving into one focused on managing congestion,” said Janno Lieber, MTA chair and chief executive.

As for Queens, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo considered the rebate an achievement by the Legislature and victory for residents.

“We are about to witness the rebate of an unfair toll levied at the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge for Queens residents,” the senator stated. “This reversal is a monumental victory and an effort that elected officials and residents have been striving to accomplish for decades.

“This achievement will rebate residents for the only intra-borough toll in the city, assist the economic growth and enjoyment of the Rockaway peninsula and could not have been accomplished without the collective efforts of the community, Gov. Hochul, the MTA and elected officials on the state level.”