A recent change to congestion pricing on the Queensboro Bridge has led to confusion among drivers, who are being tolled even when they don’t intend to enter the zone. The issue lies in the bridge’s lower roadway, where drivers crossing 60th Street briefly are still charged $9 daytime tolls. Drivers leaving Manhattan from the Upper East Side must also pay $9 for entering the zone at 59th Street.
Complaints have poured in from eastern Queens residents, including Jonathan Kahn, who frequently drives to hospitals north of the zone for medical appointments. “It’s a sneaky device,” he said, calling it “a sleight of hand by a public agency.”
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams has also expressed concern and called on the MTA to review the tolls around the bridge. He notes that drivers are being charged without clear signage in Queens, leading to frustration.
The MTA claims that there is no flexibility in adjusting the tolling zone due to a 2019 state law establishing the Congestion Relief Zone. However, Williams believes that the agency could take steps to address the issue, such as adjusting camera placement or providing better signage.
Source: https://gothamist.com/news/frustration-mounts-among-queensboro-bridge-drivers-hit-with-nyc-congestion-pricing-toll