By Michael V. Cusenza
The rebate for Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge begins this month, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven), Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach), and State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-South Ozone Park reminded motorists on Friday.
“We are about to witness the reimbursement of an unfair toll levied at the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge,” Addabbo said. “This reversal is a monumental victory and an effort that electeds and residents have been striving to accomplish for decades. This achievement will reimburse 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.”
Under the Queens Resident Toll Rebate Program, the MTA will reimburse all residents with vehicles registered in Queens who use E-ZPass for trips they make across the span over Jamaica Bay starting February 2024. E-ZPass customers whose accounts already meet the criteria for the rebate will be automatically enrolled by MTA Bridges and Tunnels and will be notified, while those who may be eligible but require action will receive instructions on how to properly register.
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“This reversal is a monumental victory and an effort that electeds and residents have been striving to accomplish for decades,” Sen. Addabbo said.
Legislation that secured funding for the rebate program was introduced by Addabbo and Pheffer Amato.
“Promises made, promises kept! After years of hard work and perseverance, constituents from Lindenwood, Howard Beach, Hamilton Beach, Ozone Park, and all of Queens, will no longer be penalized!” Pheffer Amato said. “Through the legislation that Sen. Addabbo and I passed, Queens residents who utilize the New York E-ZPass program and register for the program will get full access to their entire borough, especially the Rockaway Peninsula. This bill and the adoption of the toll rebate for the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge will ensure equity and remove a barrier to secure economic opportunities for everyone in Queens.”
In December, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a toll rebate program was coming to Bronx and Queens residents who use the Henry Hudson Bridge and Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge, respectively. The rebates are made possible by the Outer Borough Transportation Account, which was established in 2018 to provide additional resources for outer borough transportation improvements.
“We are making travel easier and more affordable for working families in the Bronx and Queens who rely on the Henry Hudson Bridge and Cross Bay Bridge,” Hochul said. “Whether it’s through this rebate program or the historic increases in MTA service we’ve implemented, I am committed to making travel more accessible to all New Yorkers.”
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “The Legislature implemented this fund in a way that allows the regional toll system to continue evolving into one focused on managing congestion.”
Sanders added, “The new Queens Resident Toll Rebate Program for the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge by the MTA is a tremendous victory for Southeast Queens residents. As a supporter of the legislation, I want to congratulate Sen. Joseph Addabbo and Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato for introducing the bill. I will continue to work to improve transportation options and reduce costs for Southeast Queens residents.”
Customers looking for more information can visit https://new.mta.info/fares-and-tolls/bridges-and-tunnels/resident-programs.
