SI Disputes MTA Toll Plans

The MTA's proposed financing of monthly subway and bus passes and an end to two- and three-fare zones not only relies on transit fare increases to $1.35 in July, 1995 and to $1.50 in 1997, but also on increasing MTA bridge and tunnel tolls 50 cents in each direction (in January, 1997). This

means $7 for passenger cars on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, which pay a double toll in one direction only. Staten Island Borough President Guy Molinari recently labeled his borough the most heavily tolled area in the nation. Molinari met recently with representatives of NYMTC, the Port

Authority, the MTA and city and state economic development officials to develop a study of the impact of bridge tolls on Staten Island's economy. The study would be paid for by the Port Authority or federal General Accounting Office, and could be put out to bid by January.