Queens, NY – Some Queens residents are cautiously celebrating an announcement by Governor Andrew Cuomo to reinstate toll rebates for residents of Rockaway and Broad Channel that travel over the Cross Bay Bridge.
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The toll on the Cross Bay Bridge between the Rockaways and Broad Channel has never been popular among residents who use it.
“This is ridiculous going back and forth. I live in Rockaway, back and forth, I work in Ridgewood, forget about it what it cost a day,” said one Queens resident.
It’s the only toll on a bridge connecting different parts of one borough. A toll rebate for Rockaways and Broad Channel residents was cut in 2010 to help the Metropolitan Transportation Authority close its budget gap.
Residents now pay $1.19 for their first two trips across the bridge each day, traveling within the same zip code in some cases.
Non-residents who use EZ-Pass pay $1.80, or $3.25 cash.
“[Area code] 11693 is one side of the bridge and 11693 is at the other side of the bridge,” said Danny Ruscillo of the 100th Precinct Community Council.
“Right now people have to pay to go about their daily lives, to go to their zoned schools, to visit their precinct, people have to pay a fee,” said State Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder.
“We’re the only residents in the city that had to pay a toll in order to take care of necessary civic business,” said Broad Channel Civic Association President Dan Mundy Jr.
Community leaders and local business owners were glad to hear the governor’s proposed budget calls for the state to provide funding to the MTA to bring the rebate back.
“This is a wonderful, wonderful day for the Rockaways,” said Community Board 14 Member Sylvan Klein.
“Quite often I give free taxis back over and I incur the cost of the toll just so that my local public could come and eat here,” said Rockaway Beach business owner Robert Kaskel.
Some residents who spoke with NY1 say what they would really like to see is the toll plaza taken down for good.
“It has to happen, not just for the residents of Rockaway and Broad Channel, but for the residents of Queens County. Queens County is the only county where their residents have to pay a toll to go to the beach,” said Community Board 14 Chairperson Dolores Orr.
“It’s a disgrace that it’s been here for so long,” said Broad Channel resident Dan Mundy Sr.