June 6, 2017 By Christian Murray
The MTA is introducing cashless tolls to the RFK-Triborough Bridge beginning June 15.
Sensors will be suspended over the bridge which will read E-ZPass tags and will take license plate images so vehicles no longer have to stop to pay tolls.
Vehicles will E-ZPass tags will be automatically charged and vehicles without E-ZPass will have their license plate recorded and a bill will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle within 30 days.
Cashless tolling his already gone into effect at the Queens Midtown Tunnel, the Henry Hudson Bridge, Hugh L Carey Tunnel and the Rockaway Bridges.
The MTA is encouraging commuters to sign up to E-Z Pass in order to save 30-50 percent on tolls at the bridge and other city crossings.
“I am excited to see cashless tolling come to the RFK Bridge,” said Veronique Hakim, MTA Interim Executive Director in a statement. “The benefit of this technology will provide customers with a smoother ride at all our facilities, making it easier for New Yorkers to get to where they need to go.”
Cashless tolling is scheduled to be introduced at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in July, the Throgs Neck Bridge in September and the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge in October.
The MTA plans to clamp down on those drivers who fail to pay their tolls. Customers who fail to pay will be subject to violation fees, registration suspensions and other enforcement actions. Late fees accrue if an initial toll is unpaid and if a second notice is also ignored, violations fees of up to $100 per toll violation may be imposed.
The MTA estimates that cashless tolls will save commuters up to 21 hours of driving time each year, and says it will be decrease emissions because drivers will no longer have to stop and start waiting to pay tolls.
