Cashless tolling to begin on Robert F Kennedy Bridge in New York

The Government of New York is to start implementing cashless tolling on the Robert F Kennedy (RFK) Bridge in the US from 15 June. 

The new initiative is expected to reduce traffic congestion and improve travel time of the motorists using this bridge, especially during the summer travel season.

In order to promote the new transition, the government authorities are encouraging motorists to use E-ZPass, which will not only save their travel costs at all MTA bridges and tunnels in New York City, but will also make their journey convenient. 

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said: "A critical route for both commuters and visitors, cashless tolling on the Robert F Kennedy Bridge will improve the safety of all motorists and reduce congestion to streamline travel between Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx.

"By transitioning to cashless tolling at New York's crossings, we are transforming our transportation infrastructure to meet the needs of 21st-century travellers, while providing safe and easy commutes for generations to come."

The RFK Bridge will be joining Henry Hudson Bridge, Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Queens Midtown Tunnel, and Rockaway Bridges, where cashless tolling is already in implementation. 

Motorists using these roads will no longer have to stop and pay the toll, as sensors and cameras deployed on highway structures called ‘gantries’ automatically scan the E-ZPass tags and take licence plate images.    

These sensors scan E-ZPass tags to charge the toll fee, and the cameras record the images of the licence plates without E-ZPass to send a bill to the registered owner of the vehicle. 

Cashless tolling is expected to save nearly 21 hours travel time on an annual basis, as well as significantly decrease emissions generated due to the fuel burned by drivers at the toll for paying the charges. 

The new tolling system is expected to save nearly one million gallons of fuel and save $2.3m each year.

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority interim executive director Veronique Hakim said: "I am excited to see cashless tolling come to the RFK Bridge. The benefits of this technology will provide customers with a smoother ride at all of our facilities, making it easier for New Yorkers to get where they need to go. 

"The accelerated schedule we are undertaking to bring cashless tolling to all of our facilities in 2017 underscores our commitment to investing in New York's transportation network to meet the needs of a growing region."

The government intends to implement cashless or open road tolling at Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge, and Bronx-Whitestone Bridge later this year.