Ending geographic toll exemptions

One way the NY MTA is closing their $800 million budget gap is to eliminate the geographic exemption from paying bridge tolls currently enjoyed by people of Broad Channel, Queens. The agency expects to raise about $3.5 million annually, which works out to about $1,150 per resident per year. There is a free bridge option at the other end of the island, but that is quite a bit longer. It will be curious to see what the effect on travel decisions will be once the exemption is lifted.