Democrats, GOP both start petitions to lower Verrazano tolls

Gentile wants Brooklyn drivers to get same break as Staten Islanders

March 29, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

It could cost a $19 to drive on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, if the MTA goes through with a plan to raise bridge tolls and subway and bus fares. Eagle file photo by Rick Buttacavoli

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In a rare instance in which Democrats and Republicans are in complete agreement, a lawmaker and a political candidate have each started a petition drive to urge the MTA to lower the tolls for Brooklyn motorists driving on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Councilmember Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst) has mounted an online petition on ipetitions.com calling on the MTA to give Brooklyn drivers a break.

“I’m all for a lower toll for hardworking Staten Islanders, but the fact is a bridge has two sides,” Gentile wrote on the petition.

The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, which opened in 1964, connects Bay Ridge to Staten Island.

On March 19, the toll was raised to $17. Staten Islanders, however, can pay $5.74 under the MTA’s Rebate Program.

“And for the MTA to recognize the toll burdens for residents on one side of the Verrazano Bridge means the MTA must recognize the toll burdens for the residents on the Brooklyn side of the bridge. Anything less would give a new definition of highway robbery!” Gentile wrote.

Under Gentile’s proposal, residents who live in the surrounding zip codes on the Brooklyn side of the bridge would get the same toll discount as their fellow New Yorkers on Staten Island.

But as proof that there is just as much outrage on the Republican side of the aisle, Liam McCabe, one of the GOP hopefuls running for Gentile’s council seat, has organized a petition drive of his own.

McCabe’s petition, which is also on ipetitions.com, pushes the idea of giving Brooklyn drivers a lower bridge toll.

“Brooklyn residents often travel to Staten Island to visit family, friends and loved ones. Some of us may even work on Staten Island. The fact that the cost to travel to and from work has become unaffordable is not acceptable,” McCabe wrote.

McCabe is also demanding that the MTA present data, including charts, to prove that the toll hike was justified and that funds are being dedicated to repair and maintenance on the bridge.

“By signing this petition, we as a community are requesting figures of on average how many people pay the toll per day and compare that to how much is allocated towards standard maintenance or extensive restructuring. This is simple data that needs to be released to ensure people crossing the Verrazano frequently that our hard-earned money is being used correctly,” McCabe wrote.

McCabe and fellow Republicans Bob Capano and John Quaglione are running for Gentile’s seat. Gentile is term-limited and cannot run fro re-election. The Democrats running for the seat are Justin Brannan, Kevin Peter Carroll, Rev. Khader El-Yateem and Nancy Tong.

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Gentile’s petition is at ipetitions.com/petition/give-brooklyn-a-break/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sign-pet.

McCabe’s petition can be found at ipetitions.com/petition/mta-board-members-electable.