Bronx drivers should brace for impact as officials at NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) are a big step closer to hitting drivers entering Midtown Manhattan from The Bronx with the new ‘congestion pricing’ toll. DOT work crews have already begun working on the installation of cameras.

 

Norwood News discovered the new overhead cameras installed at Park Avenue and on York Avenue, between East 60th and East 61st Streets in Manhattan. The cameras scan a vehicle’s EZ-Pass or snap a photo of its license plate, and the driver later receives a bill in the mail.

 

Some finer details regarding the new tolls are still being worked out but according to published reports, they are expected to take effect in May 2024 and drivers would be charged between $9 and $23 during peak hours when entering Midtown Manhattan.

 

One proposal would give individuals earning under $60,000 per year a tax credit at the end of the year, while taxi drivers across the City have been petitioning New York Gov. Kathy Hochul for an exemption from the new toll.

 

Upon learning that new toll cameras were already being installed, Parkchester resident Vanessa Goodwin told Norwood News, “Oh Boy! I’m a home health aide so enough is enough! We don’t get paid enough; we haven’t had a raise!”

She went on to turn her attention to the situation regarding the ongoing influx of migrants to the City, saying, “I welcome everybody here but we can barely take care of the New Yorkers that we have already, so with the congestion, I believe more money needs to be put into more highways and better infrastructure.”

 

Meanwhile, Parkchester driver Breanne Dolan said of the new tolls, “I think it’s ridiculous! How are they going to send me an [expletive] bill just for moving around in my own city.” Dolan added, “Why would people want to move here if they have to pay just to go downtown?”

 

Also turning her focus to New York City’s migrant crisis, Dolan said, “Everything keeps going up and they don’t want to help people that need help. The wrong people are getting help and prices keep going up, and we’re not getting any help.”

 

Read our previous story on what Norwood residents had to say about congestion pricing back in 2019 here.