The MTA has officially agreed to extend the toll discount program to residents on our side of the bridge. This outcome proves that persistence remains a powerful tool when a community identifies a common inequity. We will remain observant as these changes take effect to ensure the implementation reflects the …
April 4, 2017
COUNCILMAN GENTILE SAYS: Give Brooklyn A Break! Demand Verrazano Bridge Toll Equity Now!
Final supporters
I'm all for lower tolls for hardworking Staten Islanders but the fact is a bridge has two sides. And for the MTA to recognize the toll burdens for residents on one side of the Verrazzano Bridge, means the MTA must recognize the toll burdens for the residents on the Brooklyn side of the bridge. Anything less would give a new definition of highway robbery!
In the wake of yet another Verrazzano toll hike, starting this Sunday, March 19th, Brooklynites will have to pay as much as $17 to cross the bridge. SEVENTEEN DOLLARS!
On our side of the Narrows, students, professionals, and blue collar workers are tired of listening to the same old tune by the MTA. That is why I am calling on the MTA to play fair, once and for all, by instituting the same toll discount plan given to Staten Islanders for Brooklynites who live in the surrounding zip codes on the Brooklyn side of the bridge.
I am also calling on the MTA to extend the same discount plan they extend to Staten Islanders to all Brooklynites who travel the Verrazzano 10 times or more per month as recorded by their EZ Pass usage.
We all know the urban legend about how "they" said the Verrazzano Bridge toll would be free once the bridge construction was paid off. Obviously, that didn’t happen and now we have to bang the drums to get our fair share of a reasonable discount on an unreasonable toll.
Please sign your name below if you are a Brookynite and you feel you deserve the same break as Staten Island gets. This isn't about pitting one borough against another. This is about the toll equity and the MTA finally doing what they know is right. A bridge has two sides and therefore so should the discount plan!
Thanks for reading and signing this petition.
Councilman Vinnie Gentile
43rd District (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach, Bensonhurst)
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 17, 2017
March 16, 2017
Reaching this level of support shows that the frustration many of us feel is widely shared across our borough. It is becoming increasingly difficult for the transit authority to ignore the clear demand for a more balanced approach to these tolls.
Reached 100 supporters
March 15, 2017
538 Comments
This is literally highway robbery. I travel from New Jersey to JFK numerous numerous times a month a third of my salary goes the tolls it's ridiculous The highest toll in the country. Find other ways to raise funds besides Tolling blue collar workers to death
It is getting increasingly difficult to visit my family and provide support in babysitting due to these toll hikes. I live in Bay Ridge and would very much appreciate the opportunity to benefit from the same toll discount as SI residents.
My father lives in Staten Island and my son on weekends is with his father in NJ. This told is astronomical and needs to be stopped from increasing this much. As a Brooklyn resident with family on the other side I'd like the same discount as the Staten Island side gets.
I live in Brooklyn and work in Staten Island and pay full price to cross the bridge 5 days a week. People that live in Brooklyn and work in Staten Island should have the same discount that people who live in Staten Island and work in Brooklyn have.
Brooklyn is an island, same as SI. On order to get to "mainland USA" we have to pay a total of $32 [Verrazzano & Outerbridge $ used as an example] - SI just pays the Outbridge cost of $15. Brooklyn residents need a Verrazzano toll break more than SI does.
Lower brooklynites too
I just saw an article in Dec 29th , 2017 Home Reporter. I think a lot of Bay Ridge /Dyker Heights Residents are unaware of this petition. As I am sure a lot of us are tired of paying a fortune for this bridge. I use it at least 3 times a week to see my grandchildren!
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The MTA has officially agreed to extend the toll discount program to residents on our side of the bridge. This outcome proves that persistence remains a powerful tool when a community identifies a common inequity. We will remain observant as these changes take effect to ensure the implementation reflects the …
April 4, 2017
COUNCILMAN GENTILE SAYS: Give Brooklyn A Break! Demand Verrazano Bridge Toll Equity Now!
Final supporters
I'm all for lower tolls for hardworking Staten Islanders but the fact is a bridge has two sides. And for the MTA to recognize the toll burdens for residents on one side of the Verrazzano Bridge, means the MTA must recognize the toll burdens for the residents on the Brooklyn side of the bridge. Anything less would give a new definition of highway robbery!
In the wake of yet another Verrazzano toll hike, starting this Sunday, March 19th, Brooklynites will have to pay as much as $17 to cross the bridge. SEVENTEEN DOLLARS!
On our side of the Narrows, students, professionals, and blue collar workers are tired of listening to the same old tune by the MTA. That is why I am calling on the MTA to play fair, once and for all, by instituting the same toll discount plan given to Staten Islanders for Brooklynites who live in the surrounding zip codes on the Brooklyn side of the bridge.
I am also calling on the MTA to extend the same discount plan they extend to Staten Islanders to all Brooklynites who travel the Verrazzano 10 times or more per month as recorded by their EZ Pass usage.
We all know the urban legend about how "they" said the Verrazzano Bridge toll would be free once the bridge construction was paid off. Obviously, that didn’t happen and now we have to bang the drums to get our fair share of a reasonable discount on an unreasonable toll.
Please sign your name below if you are a Brookynite and you feel you deserve the same break as Staten Island gets. This isn't about pitting one borough against another. This is about the toll equity and the MTA finally doing what they know is right. A bridge has two sides and therefore so should the discount plan!
Thanks for reading and signing this petition.
Councilman Vinnie Gentile
43rd District (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach, Bensonhurst)
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 17, 2017
March 16, 2017
Reaching this level of support shows that the frustration many of us feel is widely shared across our borough. It is becoming increasingly difficult for the transit authority to ignore the clear demand for a more balanced approach to these tolls.
Reached 100 supporters
March 15, 2017
538 Comments
As a Brooklynite, I must say these tolls are a far cry from the original statements that indicated the tolls would be eliminated once the bridge was paid for...remembering the 1960's. Toll reduction equity for Staten Island and Brooklyn would be a great accomplishment!
This is literally highway robbery. I travel from New Jersey to JFK numerous numerous times a month a third of my salary goes the tolls it's ridiculous The highest toll in the country. Find other ways to raise funds besides Tolling blue collar workers to death
It is getting increasingly difficult to visit my family and provide support in babysitting due to these toll hikes. I live in Bay Ridge and would very much appreciate the opportunity to benefit from the same toll discount as SI residents.
My father lives in Staten Island and my son on weekends is with his father in NJ. This told is astronomical and needs to be stopped from increasing this much. As a Brooklyn resident with family on the other side I'd like the same discount as the Staten Island side gets.
I live in Brooklyn and work in Staten Island and pay full price to cross the bridge 5 days a week. People that live in Brooklyn and work in Staten Island should have the same discount that people who live in Staten Island and work in Brooklyn have.
Brooklyn is an island, same as SI. On order to get to "mainland USA" we have to pay a total of $32 [Verrazzano & Outerbridge $ used as an example] - SI just pays the Outbridge cost of $15. Brooklyn residents need a Verrazzano toll break more than SI does.
Lower brooklynites too
I just saw an article in Dec 29th , 2017 Home Reporter. I think a lot of Bay Ridge /Dyker Heights Residents are unaware of this petition. As I am sure a lot of us are tired of paying a fortune for this bridge. I use it at least 3 times a week to see my grandchildren!
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As a Brooklynite, I must say these tolls are a far cry from the original statements that indicated the tolls would be eliminated once the bridge was paid for...remembering the 1960's. Toll reduction equity for Staten Island and Brooklyn would be a great accomplishment!