STATEN ISLAND — Drivers will no longer have to stop to pay the toll on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
The bridge switched to cashless tolling on Saturday which officials hope can reduce traffic and quicken travel time for drivers. Gov. Andrew Cuomo touted the implementation as part of a series of measures to ease congestion ahead of the Amtrack "Summer of Hell" maintenance work.
"The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is a vital transportation artery for New York City, and cashless tolling will improve safety, reduce congestion and streamline travel between Staten Island and Brooklyn," Cuomo said in a statement.
"By transitioning to Cashless Tolling, we are modernizing our transportation infrastructure and easing commutes for current and future generations of New Yorkers."
Driver can no longer pay the $17 toll by cash but instead pass through "gantries" suspended over the bridge that has sensors and cameras attached.
Cars with E-ZPass will automatically be charged while others will have their license plate recorded and a bill sent to their home. They can pay the bill online, by phone, in person or through the mail, the MTA said.
Currently, drivers without E-ZPass pay $17 to cross the bridge — which is only collected when driving into Staten Island. Residents with an E-ZPass pay between $5.74 to $6.84 depending on how regularly they cross the span.
The RFK Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, Queens Midtown Tunnel and Rockaway Bridges have all already been outfitted with the cashless tolling system, according to the MTA.
The Throgs Neck Bridge will make the switch in September followed by the Bronx-Whitestone in October.