Malliotakis Introduces Resident Toll Commuter Relief Act

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) today introduced her first bill, H.R.1356, the Resident Toll Commuter Relief Act, legislation that requires the extra revenue generated by moving from one-way tolling to two-way tolling, to be used to lower tolls or fund rebates and credits for individuals residing on landmasses on either side of the bridge. Applicable to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, this would provide a reduced toll to the residents of Staten Island and Brooklyn. 

"My predecessor was in a position to negotiate a fair deal for us, but instead chose to let the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) pocket the extra revenue from going to two-way tolling, which is estimated to be $12 to 15 million," said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. "My act rights the wrong of my predecessor's bad deal and simply returns extra revenue to the toll payers in our community. This is something that should have been negotiated by Rep. Max Rose to avoid putting more of a toll burden on our residents. At the time, I said that the money should be going back to the citizens, not to into the MTA's black hole."

In 2019, language inserted into the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act by former Congressman Max Rose repealed language that banned two-way tolling on any bridge connecting the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island. Currently, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge has the second most expensive round trip bridge toll in the United States.

Malliotakis added: "I believe there was little to no benefit in moving to two-way tolling on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The MTA's own study showed a 0.1 mph increase in traffic flow, and any reduction in vehicles during the morning commute is gained in the evening. The only true benefit for our community would be returning the extra revenue back to residents in the form of a toll reduction.”

You can view Malliotakis' Resident Toll Commuter Relief Act HERE.