Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority
/ MTA Bridges & Tunnels
the
Seal of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority
History
The Triborough
Bridge Authority, upon absorbing the New York City
Tunnel Authority / Queens Midtown Tunnel in 1946; was now renamed the Triborough
Bridge
and Tunnel Authority (colloquially
called "the TBTA") and remained so until 1994.
Under the auspices of the TBTA, we would see the
openings
of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel (long planned as a bridge since the
1930's), the Throgs Neck Bridge in 1961 and the Verrazano Narrows
Bridge in 1961.
With these final three crossings, the TBTA would
now have a total of nice bridges and tunnels (actually ten if you
consider the Manhattan span of the Triborough Bridge a separate
crossing), to administer to, and all
of them borough to borough crossings; that is any bridge or tunnel
crossing within the city and state of New York. These crossings include
those between:
 | Bronx and Manhattan:
|
| original name |
"memorial" name |
date opened |
| Henry
Hudson Parkway Bridge | | December 12, 1936
(administered by TBA beginning 1941) |
| Triborough Bridge | Robert F. Kennedy Bridge | July 11, 1936 | | | | | Queens
and the Bronx: | | Triborough Bridge | Robert F. Kennedy Bridge | July 11, 1936 | | Bronx-Whitestone Bridge | | April 29, 1939 | | Throgs Neck Bridge | | January 11, 1961 | | | | | Queens and Manhattan: | | Triborough Bridge | Robert F. Kennedy Bridge | July 11, 1936 | | Queens
Midtown Tunnel | | November
15, 1940 | | | |
| Brooklyn and Manhattan: |
| Brooklyn
Battery Tunnel | Hugh
L. Carey Tunnel | May 25, 1950 |
|
|
|
| Brooklyn
and Staten Island: |
| Verrazano*
Narrows Bridge | | upper deck: November 21, 1964
lower deck: June 28, 1969 |
|
| Brooklyn and
Queens: |
| Marine Parkway Bridge | Gil Hodges Bridge | July
3, 1937 | | Cross Bay Bridge | Veterans Memorial Bridge | June 3, 1939
rebuilt: May 28, 1970 |
*
Before progressing any further, it should be noted that this website
will be using the classic (yet incorrect) spelling of Verrazano,
because that is the spelling so used on scrip and token issues.
The correct spelling is with
two z's: Verrazzano.
Also, while not within the scope of this website;
the TBTA
also administered to and operated several other non-parkway / bridge
properties, those being the: Jacob Riis Park Parking Field, Brooklyn
Battery Garage, East Side Airline Terminal and the New York Coliseum.
The TBTA name remains in use and still exists;
however, in
1994 it became part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
Bridges and Tunnels. While it still exists, it conducts
business
as ("d/b/a") MTA Bridges & Tunnels in keeping with the unified
Metropolitan Transportation Authority theme, i.e.: MTA Transit (NYC
Subways), MTA LIRR (Long Island Rail Road), MTA MNCR (MetroNorth
Commuter Railroad), etc.
Scrip &
Tokens - a quick overview
At the time of first publishing this
website in October 2019; the
only paper issues that I had encountered for the Triborough Bridge
& Tunnel Authority, were IBM style punch card tickets from the
1963
and an empty booklet cover from about the mid-1980's.
With the assistance of Ms. Hankins, I can now
compile the
following list of scrip and token issues and usage dates over the
decades.
Also, it
should be noted; the naming of the scrip issues (First,
Second,
Third, et al) are not official TBTA terminology; but names I have
associated with the various designs to more easily identify and
categorize the various issues.
"First" and "Second" Issues all appear to be
printed by
the Elliott Ticket Company of New York. The "Third" Issue or "Univac"
Series, were printed by either Univac, IBM, Osceola Graphics and a
possible fourth yet unknown printer. Examples of the "Fourth" Issue
(large barcode) are known to have circulated but printer(s) are
unknown. The "Fifth" and "Sixth" Issues, while known are printed by a
currently unknown printer.
As for Token Issues, some issues are known to have
been struck by Roger Williams Mint.
Index of Triborough
Bridge and Tunnel Authority Scrip & Token Issues: 1946 - 2012
Please remember, and I
cannot stress this strongly enough;
Tickets from earlier issues were redeemable even after a
new design issue was released
(a new design issue did not render the previous issue void).
Therefore various issues were used concurrently.
Triborough Bridge and
Tunnel Authority Scrip & Token Issues: 1946 - 2012
|
| "First"
Series - 1946 to ca. 1950 |
.
|
 |
Garage & Servicing Ticket for
Park Department Vehicles
collection of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
.
. |
 |
Class 3 - 35 cent ticket for Motor
Truck, 2 axles, 2-5 tons for Triborough Bridge & Bronx
Whitestone Bridge - pre-1946
Queens
Midtown Tunnel not listed.
JOHN F. TROMMER, INC. overstamp
Elliott
Ticket Company
John F. Trommer
was a brewery in Orange, NJ and only operated under that name from 1946
through 1950.
Prior to that it was known as Orange Brewing, and John F. Trommer of
New Jersey.
Following 1950, it was purchased by Leibmann Breweries and eventually
became part of Rheingold Breweries.
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
..
. |
 |
Class 1 - 25 cent ticket (Queens
Midtown Tunnel added) - 1/11/1952
Department of Sanitation overstamp
Elliott
Ticket Company
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
.
. |
 |
Class 3 - 40 cent ticket
for Motor Truck, 2 axles, 2-5 tons for Triborough Bridge &
Bronx Whitestone Bridge
Queens
Midtown Tunnel added - post-1946
Elliott
Ticket Company
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
"Third"
Series - The Univac & IBM Issues - 1963 to ca. 1976
In 1963, a new style of
toll scrip was introduced and circulated: the punch cards.
Some dedicated searching of the world wide web revealed some
information on the the toll ticket machines used by the TBTA; from the
"VIP Club", a club of retirees from IBM, Remington Rand, Sperry,
Univac, Unisys, and other assorted information technology development
firms.
On page 158 of "UNIVAC
PRODUCTS - ST. PAUL A Handbook of Major Products Designed, Developed,
and Manufactured a ST. PAUL 16, MINNESOTA; 1947 to 1959" the following
is found:
|
TOLL
TICKET READER AND RECORDER
DESCRIPTION
The Univac Toll Ticket Reader and Recorder provides a detailed record
on punched tape of cash and toll ticket transactions at a toll gate.
The Ticket Reader
equipment comprises the following units: Classified Push Button Panel,
Key Identifier Unit, Ticket Reader Assembly.
The Classification
Push Button Panel has keys numbered one through nine for designating
classes, with a tenth key for special classifications. This keyboard
creates the classification entry into the recorder.
The Ticket Reader Assembly senses information from small punched toll
tickets, and transmits this information to the recorder.
The Key Identifier Unit provides means for unlocking the equipment to
render it operable, simultaneously entering into it the identifying
number of the key used, and retaining the key until the equipment is
turned off.
The
Toll Punching Recorder was developed initially for use by the
Triborough Bridge Authority in New York.
It operates in conjunction with the Classification Push Button Panel
and Key Identifier Unit. One Recorder issued for each pair of vehicle
lanes.
Portions of
the Toll Ticket Reader and Recorder are manufactured by Electronic
Signal Co. under license to Remington Rand Univac.
PURPOSE
The
equipment was designed primarily as part of a Toll Accounting system
and can be used to record classification data on a maximum of 10
different classes of vehicles, and data from toll tickets received in
lieu of cash.
In
five-hole punched paper tape, the equipment records data from the
Ticket Reader Unit and axle counts from a treadle in the roadway. It
also records the identification number of the lane and of the collector
whose key is inserted in the Identifier Unit. A classification is
punched for each vehicle transaction, with an initial record punched
when the collector turns the equipment on and a terminal record when he
turns it off. These initial and terminal transactions cause a record of
the time and the number of axles in each direction as then recorded on
the axle counters to be punched in the tape, along with the lane and
collector numbers. They also reset the counters. A display of the
recorded information on light banks is provided for maintenance
purposes.
The
Recorder accumulates and displays on electromechanical counters the
number of vehicles in each of 10 classes and the number of treadle
actuations in each direction. It also displays treadle actuations in
each direction which occur when the lane is closed. A printed paper
tape record of the information is produced by the equipment, and a
punched tape record is made from the counters whenever a lane is closed. |
 |
. .
The
.75 and $1.00 denomination tickets; do not reflect a printer, but have
Univac and IBM style holes. They carry a serial number prefix of UD,
and both carry a printing code of P25191R: the 75 cent is P25191R.14
and the dollar is P25191R.16. about 8 months later, I then acquired two
books, of .10 cent tickets in a $2.00 book and .50 cent tickets in a
$10.00 book. Both of these are Univac (round) punchhole only. The 10
cent is P25191R.2 and the .50 cent is P251R.10
The .75 and $1.00 denomination tickets; do not reflect a printer, but
have Univac and IBM style holes. They carry a serial number prefix of
UD,
and both carry a printing code of P25191R: the .75 cent is P25191R.14
and the dollar is P25191R.16. about 8 months later, I then acquired two
books, of .10 cent tickets in a $2.00 book and .50 cent tickets in a
$10.00 book. Both of these are Univac (round) punchhole only. The .10
cent is P25191R.2 and the .50 cent is P251R.10
Shortly following the internet publication of this
website
(like, within hours), George S. Cuhaj submitted two examples
of
tickets from his collection for inclusion. His two tickets are marked
for Univac 25191R.2 (.10 cent) and IBM Z38345
Noting the two different style of punchholes, the
Univac
style has round punchouts (also known as Hollerith style, after the
inventor of punch cards, Herman Hollerith),
while the IBM
style has rectangular punchouts. These
punch cards allowed automatic tabulation and accounting upon issue and
upon redemption. There are also tickets using both types of punchholes,
so we now know of three distinct types of punch cards known
for
the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority:
(Cross Bay Bridge). So we are now able to conclude the type of machines
used for toll collection.
- all
Univac (all round holes),
- dual
Univac / IBM (combination of round holes on bottom and
rectangular holes towards top), and:
- all IBM (all
rectangular holes)
And while punch cards are commonly
thought of as mid-Twentieth Century technology, use of punched cards
for tabulation dates back as far as 1896.
Even I have to admit, I originally thought that the TBTA
punch cards may be a circa 1950's issue. However,
this was an incorrect presumption on my part. If the information
received from Ms. Hankins of the TBTA archives is correct (and we have
no reason to suspect it otherwise), the all Univac are the first issued
punch cards, first issued in 1963; and the Univac / IBM are from circa
1970. She did not specify when the all IBM card were issued; but we
can presume with
IBM's acquisition of it competitors and its growing monopoly in the
office machine / accounting world, the IBM style tickets appeared
last, 1973.
Tabulating the known printing codes reveals the
following: | Printing
Codes | | denomination | Univac Tickets | Univac covers | IBM Tickets | IBM covers | | .10 | P-25191
R.2 | P-25191
R.1 | | | | .25 | P-25191
R.4 | | | | | .35 | P-25191
R.6 | | | | | .40 | P-25191
R.8 | | | | | .50 | P-25191
R.10 | P-25191 R 9R | W51660 | | | .60 | P-25191
R.12 | | | | | .75 | P-25191
R.14 | | W51670 | Z39391 | | $1.00 | P-25191
R.16 | | W51672 | | | $1.25 | P-25191
R.18 | | | | | $1.50 | P-25191
R.34 | | | | | Cross
Bay Bridge (Rockaway Residents) | | | Z38345 | Z38346 | | Special
- all crossings | P-25191
R.24 | | E72426
& W51676 | | | Special
- Queens Midtown Tunnel | P-25191
R.28 | | | | | Special
- Triborough Bridge | P-25191
R.30 | | | | | Special
- Triborough Bridge - Randall's Island only | P-25191
R.31 | | W51678 | Z39393 | Identification Sales Slip
(Serial #, License #, Officer & Date inside front cover of some books) | P-25191
R.32 | | | |
Also, as more booklet covers begin to be seen, we
can
observe the complex assignment of values to various classes of
vehicles at differing locations. Generally speaking, tolls at
tunnels cost more than bridges, and the Verrazano being the newest
crossing, was priced higher than other crossings. It made for a very
confusing system and as you can see, the list of applicable locations
on the .50 cent booklet cover takes up the entire cover.
All punch cards are single sided with
a beveled bottom right corner and all appear to be uniform in size and
thickness: 3 3/8" (width) - 2 13/16" (height) - 0.0075"
(thickness).
.
 |
 |  |
book of 20 .10 cent
tickets - 1963
Univac style
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial number:
notes:
printing code: |
Univac
only
Univac
goldenrod card stock, black ink prefix: UA,
UC; black sans-serif
UA 661161-80 (61, 62 missing)
round punchholes cover binding: lime green
has P-25191.32 sales slip inside front cover
P-25191R.2 / P25191R.1 |
.
. |
| |
 |
|
25 cent
ticket - ca. 1970
dual
Univac / IBM style
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives
|
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial number:
notes:
printing code: |
Univac
& IBM
unknown
blue card stock, black ink prefix: UK;
black sans-serif
round punchholes
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle
P-R25191R.4 |
.
. |
| |
|
|
35 cent
ticket - ca. 1970
dual
Univac / IBM style
collection of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives
|
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial number:
notes:
printing code: |
Univac
& IBM
unknown
buff card stock, black & orange ink prefix:
UD; black sans-serif
round & rectangular punchholes
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle,
orange diagonal stripe
P-R25191R.6 |
.
. |
| |
 |
40 cent
ticket - ca. 1970
dual Univac / IBM style
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial number:
notes:
printing code: |
Univac
& IBM
unknown
salmon card stock, black ink prefix: UF;
black sans-serif
round & rectangular punchholes
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle
P-R25191R.8 |
.
. |
| |
 |
50 cent
ticket - ca. 1979
IBM style
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
|
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
printing
code:
|
IBM
only
IBM
beige card stock, light green dyed edges; black ink prefix:
UV; black sans-serif
rectangular punchholes
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle
fuchsia overtype: OFFICIAL BUSINESS -
CITY OF NEW YORK
IBM W51660? |
.
. |
| |
|
book of 20 .50 cent
tickets - $10.00 - ca. 1963
Univac style
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
printing code: |
Univac
only
Univac?
beige card stock; black & green ink prefix:
MA; black sans-serif
UB 352221-40
round punchholes green vertical stripe on
right edge; booklet binding: lime green
P-R25191R.10 / P25191R.9-R |
.
. |
| |
 |
50 cent
ticket - Manhattan State Hospital? - ca. 1979
IBM style
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
printing code: |
IBM
Osceola Graphics, Inc
beige card stock; black & green ink prefix:
MA; black sans-serif
round punchholes
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle
green overprint: RANDALL'S ISLAND ONLY, NO RECEIPT green vertical stripe on right
edge
P-R25191R.10 |
.
. |
| |
 |
60 cent
ticket - 1963
Univac style
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial number:
notes:
printing code:
|
Univac
only
Univac
peach card stock, black ink prefix: UB;
black sans-serif
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle
P25191R.12 |
.
. |
| |
|
75 cent
ticket - ca. 1970
dual Univac / IBM style
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial number:
notes:
printing
code: |
Univac
& IBM
unknown
light green card stock, black ink prefix:
UD; black sans-serif
round punchholes; note the offset ink transfer on the back.
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle
P-25191R.14 |
.
. |
| |
 |
|
75 cent
ticket - ca. 1970
dual
Univac / IBM style
FOR USE
ON UNITED PARCEL VEHICLES ONLY MASPETH overstamp
collection of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives
|
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial number:
notes:
printing code |
Univac
& IBM
unknown
light green cardstock, black ink prefix: UF;
black sans-serif round &
rectangular punchholes
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle
FOR USE ON UNITED PARCEL VEHICLES ONLY MASPETH overstamp
P-25191R.14 |
.
. | | |   | book of 20 75 cent
tickets - $15.00 - ca. 1979
IBM style
collection of Philip M. Goldstein | card style:
printer:
colors:
serial number:
notes:
printing code | IBM
unknown (IBM?)
light green cardstock, black ink prefix: UV;
black sans-serif
rectangular punchholes
UV 963561-80
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle
IBM W51670 |
.
. |
| |
|
$1.00
ticket - ca. 1970
dual Univac / IBM style
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
card style
printer:
colors:
serial number:
notes:
printing code: |
Univac
& IBM (round &
rectangular punchholes)
unknown
beige cardstock, black ink prefix: UD;
black sans-serif
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle
P-25191R.16 |
.
. |
| |
  |
$1.00
ticket - ca. 1979
IBM style
collection of Philip M. Goldstein |
card style
printer:
colors:
serial number:
notes:
printing code: |
IBM (rectangular punchholes)
IBM
beige cardstock, black ink
prefix: UR, US;
black sans-serif
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle
W51672 |
.
. |
| |
 |
$1.00
ticket - ca. 1970
dual Univac / IBM style
FOR USE ON UNITED PARCEL
VEHICLES ONLY MASPETH overstamp
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
card style
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
printing code: |
Univac
& IBM (round &
rectangular punchholes)
unknown
beige card stock, black & orange ink prefix:
UB; black sans-serif
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle, diagonal orange stripe FOR USE ON UNITED
PARCEL VEHICLES ONLY MASPETH overstamp
P-25191R.18 |
.
. |
| |
 |
$1.50
ticket - ca. 1970
dual Univac / IBM style
FOR
USE BY JOSEPH CORY DELIVERY SERVICE ONLY overstamp
Joseph
Cory was a "last mile" delivery service specializing in furniture
&
appliances. After an item was hauled interstate from one terminal to
another terminal, Joseph Cory Delivery would deliver it the "last mile"
from that terminal to the customer. Their terminal in the New York City
area was originally in Manhattan, then they relocated to Secaucus, NJ.
Cory Co. existed until 2019 at which time it was acquired by J. B.
Hunt; interstate trucking.
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
printing code: |
Univac
& IBM (round &
rectangular punchholes)
unknown
beige card stock, black & red ink
prefix:
UB; black sans-serif
Good For Passage of Motor Vehicle, vertical red stripe on right side, overstamp for Joseph Cory Delivery Service
P-25191R.34 |
.
. |
| |
 ........
 |
|
Passenger
Car or Motorcycle ticket Good for Cross Bay "Veterans Memorial" Bridge
- ca.
1970 & 3/28/1979
IBM style
(top)
collection of George S. Cuhaj
(bottom)
collection of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives
|
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial number:
notes:
printing code |
IBM
only (rectangular punchholes)
IBM
peach card stock with dyed ends;
black ink prefix:
AA, AB: black sans-serif
large outline "C" on face; FOR PASSENGER CAR OR MOTORCYCLE; GOOD ONLY AT CROSS BAY VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE
IBM Z38345 |
.
. |
| |
 |
Special
Ticket - 4/27/1967
Univac style
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
printing
code: |
Univac only (round punchholes)
Univac
light gray card stock; black ink
prefix: UA; black sans-serif
SPECIAL TICKET VALID ON ALL FACILITIES
P-25191R.24 |
.
. |
| |
|
Special
Ticket Valid on All Facilities - ca. 1973
IBM style
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
security underprinting:
printing
code: |
IBM
only (rectangular punchholes)
IBM
white card stock; black & gold ink
prefix:
U I; small red serif
SPECIAL TICKET VALID ON ALL FACILITIES
gold ink, progressively larger concentric diamonds
IBM E72426 |
.
. |
| |
 |
Special
Ticket Valid on All Facilities, Type 2 - 8/7/1979
IBM style
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
security underprinting:
printing
code: |
IBM
only (rectangular punchholes)
IBM
light gray card stock; black ink prefix:
UE; black sans-serif
SPECIAL TICKET VALID ON ALL FACILITIES
none
IBM W51676 |
.
. |
| |
 |
Special
Ticket for Queens Midtown Tunnel - 11/16/1967
Univac style
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
printing
code: |
Univac
only (round punchholes)
Univac
light gray card stock; black ink prefix:
UA; black sans-serif
SPECIAL TICKET FOR ____________
P-25191R.28 |
.
. |
| |
 |
Special
Ticket for Triborough Bridge - Manhattan State Hospital Issue?
- 1963
Univac style
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
printing code: |
Univac
only (round punchholes)
unknown
light gray card stock; black ink prefix:
UA; black sans-serif
SPECIAL TICKET FOR TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE (outlined T); FOR RANDALL'S ISLAND ONLY overprint
P-25191R.28 |
.
. |
| |
   |
Special
Ticket for Triborough Bridge - Manhattan State Hospital Issue? - ca.
1973
IBM style
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
printing codes: |
IBM
only (rectangular punchholes)
IBM?
buff card stock; black ink prefix:
UD;
black sans-serif
SPECIAL TICKET FOR TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE (outlined T); FOR RANDALL'S ISLAND ONLY overprint
book of 50 tickets Interestingly, I have acquired two partial
books from two different sources, yet bearing same license plate
number). Note the front cover with handwritten "dium" presumably for
Downing Stadium.
IBM W51678 (tickets) / IBM Z39393 (cover) |
.
. |
| |
 |
Garage
and Servicing Ticket
For Park Department Vehicles - 111/14/1967
Univac style
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
printing code: |
Univac
only (round punchholes)
Univac
light gray card stock; black & blue ink
prefix UA; black sans-serif;
GARAGE AND SERVICING TICKET OR PARK DEPARTMENT VEHICLES FOR RANDALL'S ISLAND ONLY overprint
blue
horizontal stripe
P-25191R.31 |
.
. |
| |
 |
Garage
and Servicing Ticket
For Park Department Vehicles - 10/15/1981
-
IBM style
T.
Vinetti park supervisor overstamp
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial
number:
notes:
printing code: |
IBM
only (rectangular punchholes)
IBM
light gray card stock; blue side edges;
black ink prefix:
UA; black sans-serif;
GARAGE AND SERVICING TICKET OR PARK DEPARTMENT VEHICLES FOR RANDALL'S ISLAND ONLY overprint
blue
horizontal stripes on left & right edges
IBM W51679 |
In regards to the following cover for the Cross Bay Bridge /
Veterans Memorial Bridge (which is for the ticket above); my internet
research has not revealed what year "Veterans Memorial" was added to
the name. Knowing this, would definitely give a fair approximation of
the issue date. Since
the Marine Parkway Bridge is overstamped on the booklet cover, can we
conclude this booklet was issued soon after 1937 when the Marine
Parkway Bridge was built, until new tickets including the bridge could
be printed?
But, I also took note that this issue has 5 digit
zip
codes listed for neighborhoods in Rockaway:
11691 -
Bayswater 11692 -
Arverne 11693 -
Rockaway Beach 11694 -
Rockaway Park 11695 -
Far Rockaway 11697 -
Roxbury
As the US Post Office Department did not institute the 5
digit zip code until July 1, 1963; I think we may have a better
approximation of the issue date of these tickets. I also note that they
are called "postal zones" and not zip codes. "Postal zone" was the old
nomenclature prior to the 5 digit zip code, so by the combination of
the old name and the new 5 digit zip code, I would say these were
issued very shortly after July 1963. Confirming this issue date is Ms.
Hankins' reply to my inquiry..
|
Book
Cover for Passenger Car or Motorcycle ticket
Good for Cross Bay "Veterans Memorial" Bridge
with "ALSO FOR USE AT MARINE PARKWAY BRIDGE" overprint
40 tickets, $10 - Rockaway Resident
(front cover for ticket which may be seen above)
issued between January and October 1979?
collection
of George S. Cuhaj |
card style:
printer:
colors:
serial number:
notes:
printing code: |
IBM
IBM
peach, black ink - back: none
not on cover
FOR USE AT CROSS BAY VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE ONLY FOR PASSENGER CARS
AND MOTORCYCLES OWNED BY PERSONS RESIDING WITHIN POSTAL ZONES #11691
#11692 #11693 #11694 #11695 and
#11697
with added stamp: ALSO FOR USE AT MARINE PARKWAY BRIDGE
IBM Z38346 |
Please note:
The
next chronological issue of toll payment to be released following
the Univac punch cards is technically the token issues; which entered
circulation in 1976.
These tokens are covered in a
separate chapter on this website a little further on and following the
scrip, and as I wanted to keep all the paper scrip issues together.
One of the internal
documents that was included in Ms. Hankins'
email caught me off guard.
According to the intra-governmental order dated
December
8, 1986 seen at right, you will take note that tokens AND tickets are
available at the same time.
I (erroneously) was under the conclusion the
tokens
replaced the older Univac scrip, and then the bar code scrip replaced
the tokens as the toll tariffs exceeded the highest value token of
$1.00, or at least a combination of tokens, i.e.: a 50 cent and $1.00
for a combined value of $1.50.
But this turns out not to be the case, as this
order form
clearly lists token and ticket issues available for purchase
concurrently.
This document also conveniently reflects the
denominations
of scrip tickets available at the end of 1986, as well informs us as to
the discount of 10% off the full toll fare, when purchasing books of 20
tickets.
Another interesting fact in regards to this
document; is
that while rolls of tokens are not listed on the public order forms as
seen in the Internal
Documents & Reference Materials
chapter further on in this website, they are listed on the
inter-governmental order as seen to the right.
Tokens were apparently available by special arrangement, in
particular for ordering by the government. Note next to Order Number:
"Intra Governmental".
Presumably, either special postal arrangements
were made,
a courier was used or in dealing with a large quantity of tokens, an
armored truck or carrier.
A quick web search of the address listed for the
"U.S.
Property & Fiscal Officer, NJ" reveals this address is still
valid,
and is home to the State of New Jersey Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs, including Army and Air National Guards.
|
 |
"Fourth" Series Large
Barcode Issues (unseen) - ca. 1976 to June 19, 1986
According to internal documents of the TBTA (as seen to
right)
dated 1986, there was a large size (size not noted) barcode issue, that
was replaced with a small size barcode issue of 3 3/4" x 2 1/8".
At this time, no known images exist of this "large
barcode" script issue.
However, the subsequent issue (which numerically
would be
the "Fifth" Series) is described and photostatic copies are included in
the memo at right..
Note the design: a double-ended arrow, with the
barcode to
right comprising the shaft of the arrow.
Unfortunately, color scans of these issues were
not in the
MTA Archives, but the colors of each denomination are at least
specified in the memo.
Remember: these are the "Fourth Series" / smaller
size
barcode scrip that replaced the large barcode scrip (which again, are
unfortunately not even illustrated).
This memo also mentions the IBM punch card
tickets, so we
can surmise the following order of issuance (usage overlaps) for TBTA
Scrip & Tokens:
- Univac
/ IBM punch cards (third series): 1963 -
1970
- tokens:
1976 -
1998
- large
size barcode tickets
(fourth series) (none
shown) 1976? to
June 19, 1986
- small
size barcode tickets (fifth
series)
(b&w copies on bottom of memo to right,
hypothetical color tickets
next paragraph below): June 19,
1986 to ca. 1994
- final
issue barcode tickets (sixth
series) (next
chapter): 1994 to
2012.
|
 |
"Fifth" Series Small Barcode Issues -
June 19, 1986 to ca. 1994
After
reading the above memo outlining the new small barcode issue of scrip;
and only having a black & white copy, I was feeling
like
something was missing. I also was feeling a little creative, so with a
little work with Picasa image editor and MS Paint, I have come
up
with an approximation of what the "Fifth series" small barcode
tickets should appear like, based on the colors listed in the above
memo.
When referencing the March 1989 ticket
book order
form, there is a row to order $2.50 denomination tickets. It is
believed a $2.50 ticket as well as a $6.50 denomination was issued in
1989 (and after the above memorandum was issued); with
the $2.50
replacing the $2.00 denomination (Class 1 Major Crossings), while the
$6.50 was issued for Class 8 Minor Crossings. However this is not
confirmed at this time.
According to a study performed by the firm URS for the TBTA:
"HISTORY AND PROJECTION OF TRAFFIC, TOLL REVENUES AND EXPENSES and
REVIEW OF PHYSICAL CONDITIONS Of the Facilities of TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE
AND TUNNEL AUTHORITY - April 29, 2005"; it states on page 14:
"Over
the years, various discount programs have been introduced. In March
1987, the Staten Island Carpool Program was initiated. Staten Island
residents were offered 30-round trip coupons for vehicles with three or
more occupants at a discounted price of $30.00. This program was
revised to 24 coupons for $30.00 in July 1989, to 24 coupons for $42.00
in May 2003, and to 24 coupons for $54.00 in March 2005."
With
this information, the first two dates (March 1987 and
July 1989) fall into the usage era of the Fifth Series. While the VNB
Carpool tickets mentioned for this issue has not yet been seen, it can
be presumed to be similar to the approximate design:
"Sixth"
Series (and final?) Issues - ca. 1994 to 9/30/2017
I
had been hoping that at some point, an issue of TBTA
scrip would appear that would correspond to the empty booklet cover I
have in my collection. The ticket stubs in my booklet have backs of
light green security printing consisting of a repeating TBTA seal.
Under the glued black binding of front and rear covers, is
06-2109B-560 (A), and on the front of each of the 24 remaining stubs is
06-1X09-B570 and VN-CAR.
I had therefore
concluded this was a commutation booklet for passenger cars for
Verrazano Narrows Bridge. But what did the tickets look like???
As I
processed the images contained within the emails from Ms. Hankins to
use here, and as I saw this issue was orange color for most of the
scrip, I was growing worried I may never find the answer to my quest.
That was until I saw the V. N. Carpool ticket. Green! So, I
can now confirm visually that tickets went into my booklet:
VN-CAR = VN Carpool. And it is refreshing to know I was
correct - for once! ☻
Visual examination of the tickets in this series,
reflect
all denominational issues are orange, with the TBTA seal security
underprint. In the center of each note, is an unprinted white rectangle
which contains the serial number in barcode format. It is presumed the
barcode is UV reflective, but this is not confirmed. I also noticed,
that the denomination of each note is now carried in two locations on
the face: on the bottom approximately left of center, and on the right
edge of the note oriented vertically.
As previously stated, the Verrazano Narrows
Carpool ticket
is green, the Special ticket is slate gray and the Garage &
Servicing Randall's Island ticket is lilac / lavender. But the
interesting issue for this series is undoubtedly the New York Militia
ticket. It is printed in a desert camouflage style and without the
repeating TBTA seal. In research for this website, I located an image
of half of a ticket that appeared on the cover of a New York Naval
Militia newsletter. I made a request to the New York Naval Militia for
a scan of the whole ticket was denied (despite their being no longer in
use or valid for redemption). So again, with a little time and effort
in MS Paint, I recreated a close approximation of its appearance.
 |
$3.50
collection of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
.
. |
 |
$7.00
punch canceled VOID
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
.
. |
 |
 |
$7.00 - face & back scrip with
stub, front and back of booklet covers
collection of Philip M. Goldstein
with great thanks to Jason Howell for the partial & complete
books for my collection! |
.
. |
 |
$10.00
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
.
. |
 |
$11.00
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
.
. |
|
 |
$13.00
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
.
. |
 |
$19.00 w/ booklet cover
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
.
. |
 |
$26.00 w/ booklet cover
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
.
. |
 |
 |
$33.00
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
.
. |
 |
Verrazano Narrows Bridge Carpool
Ticket - 2/19/2004?
collection
of MTA Bridges & Tunnel Archives |
.
. |
   |
Verrazano Narrows Bridge Carpool
Ticket Book Cover
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
"Over
the years, various discount programs have been introduced. In March
1987, the Staten Island Carpool Program was initiated. Staten Island
residents were offered 30-round trip coupons for vehicles with three or
more occupants at a discounted price of $30.00. This program was
revised to 24 coupons for $30.00 in July 1989, to 24 coupons for $42.00
in May 2003, and to 24 coupons for $54.00 in March 2005."
With this information, the
first two (March 1987 and July 1989) VNB
carpool tickets mentioned for this issue has not yet been seen but
presumed to be similar to the Fifth Series design in the preceding
chapter. The second two tickets for May 2003 and March 2005; are
represented by the Sixth Series issue immediately above.
As
far as it is known, this was the last series of scrip tickets
to
be printed and issued by the Triborough Bridge & Tunnel
Authority;
presumably as a result of the expanding success of E-ZPass RFID units.
Beginning on November 20, 2016; "Cashless Tolling"
also known as "Tolls By Mail" would be phased in,
in increments:
| Henry
Hudson Bridge |
November
20, 2016 |
| Brooklyn
Battery / Hugh L. Carey Tunnel |
January
4, 2017 |
| Queens
Midtown Tunnel |
January
10, 2017 |
| Marine
Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge |
April 30,
2017 |
| Cross
Bay Veterans Bridges |
April 30,
2017 |
| Verrazano-Narrows
Bridge |
July 8,
2017 |
| Triborough
/ Robert F. Kennedy Bridge |
June 15,
2017 |
| Throgs
Neck Bridge |
September
30, 2017 |
| Bronx-Whitestone
Bridge |
September
30, 2017 |
With
the final crossing being converted September 30, 2017, there
are no more toll collectors to issue change or take scrip; and TBTA /
MTA Bridges & Tunnels are now strictly an electronic tolling
and
billing system.
BACK TO TOP OF PAGE / INDEX
The
following is a tabulation of scrip tickets known to be
issued by the Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority after its
formation in 1946. Please be aware there may be unaccounted for issues
and the compilation may not be complete.
This table was compiled using both visually
confirmed
tickets, as well as those listed on order forms. Issue dates are not
known for certain and some questions remain as to the yet unseen Fourth
Series:
It is unknown if the Intra-Governmental Order used
Fourth
Series scrip, Fifth Series scrip or a special scrip. It is assumed they
were comprised of Fourth Series as several issues were denominated in
fractions of a dollar, that match denominations of the Fourth Series,
(albeit with additional denominations of $6.00 and $9.00 and the
omission of others); and while the Fifth Series consisted of
almost all whole dollar amounts.
First
(denomination
right) |
Second
(denomination
center) |
Third *
(Univac
/ IBM) |
|
Fourth
(large
barcode) (unseen) |
Inter Governmental
|
|
Fifth
(small
barcode)
|
|
Sixth
(double
denomination) |
| 1946-1950's |
1950's-1963 |
1963 |
|
April
19, 1982? |
April
20, 1983 |
October
1986 |
|
June
1986 |
|
1994 |
| no discount - scrip
book sales strictly for convenience |
|
10%
discount from full toll
|
|
20%
discount from full toll
|
| book
quantities of 20 unless otherwise stated |
|
book quantity of
20 |
book quantities 16
& 18 |
|
all books
quantity of 20 |
|
|
|
|
|
| .10 |
.10 |
.10 |
|
|
1.80 |
1.80 |
|
2.00 |
|
|
| .25 |
.25 |
.25 |
|
2.50 |
2.50 |
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
| .35 |
.35 |
.35 |
|
|
2.70 |
2.70 |
|
|
|
3.50 |
| .40 |
.40 |
.40 |
|
|
|
3.00
(book of 16) |
|
4.00 |
|
|
|
.50 |
.50 |
|
|
|
3.00
(book of 18) |
|
5.00 |
|
|
|
.60 |
.60 |
|
|
3.60 |
3.60 |
|
6.00 |
|
|
|
.75 |
.75 |
|
3.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
7.00 |
|
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
4.00 |
|
|
|
8.00 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
1.25 |
|
|
4.50 |
4.50 |
|
10.00 |
|
10.00 |
|
|
1.50 |
|
5.00 |
5.00 |
|
|
|
|
11.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
5.40 |
5.40 |
|
12.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.00 |
|
|
|
13.00 |
|
|
|
|
6.25 |
6.25 |
|
|
|
|
19.00 |
|
|
|
|
7.50 |
7.50 |
7.50 |
|
|
|
26.00 |
|
|
Passenger
Automobile
Cross Bay Bridge / Rockaway Residents (40)
. |
|
|
|
9.00 |
|
|
|
33.00 |
|
Special
All Facilities
. |
Special
All Facilities
. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special |
|
Special
Henry Hudson
. |
Special
__(blank)__
. |
|
|
|
Verrazano
Narrows Carpool |
|
|
|
Verrazano
Narrows Carpool |
|
Special
Triborough Bridge |
Special
Triborough Bridge Randall's Island Only
. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randall's
Island
Garage & Servicing
Parks Department |
|
|
Garage
& Servicing
Parks Department |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New
York Militia |
In regards to
the third issue, there are three types of tickets: Univac, Univac / IBM
and IBM.
According to the 1984 Tariff Bulletin, tickets in lieu of
token
were issued for Rockaway Residents: Between January and October 1979;
Rockaway Peninsula residents were able to purchase 40-ticket books for
$10.00 for use of the Cross Bay Bridge.
It also states beginning in 1980, reduced
rate auto
tolls ($20.00, 40 tickets, .50 cent per trip) for residents of the
Rockaway Peninsula were implemented on June 16, 1980 along with the 75
cent cash tolls on the Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridges.
Also of
particular note is an experiment from June 1981 through April 18, 1982,
where tolls on the Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridges were collected
at double the one-way rate in the southbound direction only
- Tokens
first issued June 29, 1976
- General
token roll sales ended February 3, 1998 for Major & Minor
Crossings
- Rockaway
and Staten Island Resident Tokens remained
for sale only to the respective residents until 2015.
- Redemption
of tokens ended April 30, 2017 for Rockaway Residents (Cross Bay
&
Marine Parkway Bridges), and
- September
30, 2017 for the Staten Island Residents (Verrazano Narrows
Bridge).
Loose TBTA Tokens are the most common
issues out of all of the toll
memorabilia. At any given time, you can find several, if not dozens; of
individual examples for sale on eBay. Later intact rolls (1987 and newer appear infrequently. Early intact rolls or wrappers are another matter.
As the tolls increased from the point where a
single dime
or quarter would cover the toll, increasing amounts of
individual
coins were needed to pay the collector (two quarters, two quarters and
a dime, three quarters, etc. or the time it required to make change
from currency. These transactions took longer and traffic built up at
the tolls. By having tokens denominated in the basic fares for the
Triborough Crossings was expected to alleviate this lag time at the
toll booths.
As it is stated in the Hearings before the
Subcommittee on
Surface Transportation of the Committee on Public Works and
Transportation; House of Representatives - Ninety-Fifth Congress;
(September - October 1977)
"In
June, 1976, TBTA introduced exact-toll tokens in an effort to reduce
congestion at its seven bridges and tunnels within New York City.
Less than one year later, the TBTA had collected its ten millionth
exact-toll token..
So,
with that little blurb; we now know when the "Wheel" tokens
first entered service and circulation. But the planning for the use of
the tokens actually goes back as far as at a board meeting taking place
in May, 1973. Samples of tokens were handed out at a subsequent board
meeting in January, 1976, when they (the board) approved the original
commutation rate, which was just free passage with the purchase of 20
tokens.
With a little more digging; I happened across this
rather
lengthy article in the New York Times; which contains quite a bit of
information regarding the earliest of token issues: the 50, 75 and 100
and the Toll Collectors strike that occurred shortly after their
release:
Takeaways from this article reveal the following:
- "The tokens being sold in bulk,
in plastic bags for $20 each, ..."
This
helps solve an ambiguity later in token history regarding reference to
packaging of tokens.
It is assumed the reporter is
referring to the $1.00 tokens (twenty x
$1.00 = $20.00). There would be no advantage for the motorist in paying
more than face value for twenty 75 cent (worth $15.00) and
twenty
50 cent tokens (worth $10.00).
The only discount per se, for purchasing the 20 packs of
tokens
was a free token at the time of purchase of the pack of the 20 of
either of the denominations.
.
- "...
the authority had 500,000 tokens, minted six months ago by a New
England Company."
Six months ago from June 1976
would be December 1975. This would
correspond with the 1975 date in the Atwood Coffee catalog for these
tokens, which in actuality is now understood as an order date, not an
issue date.
It now remains to be learned whether it was
500,000 for all three
varieties (166,666 each denomination) or 500,000 of each denomination.
Somehow, 166,666 tokens does not seem like to be enough to cover all
the crossings in New York City at once. 166,666 tokens = 8,333 packs of
20 token plus loose? But, as Ms. Hankins
points out:
"the market share initially was very low, because keep in mind that
cash and tickets were still being accepted. By July, 1977 token use was
only at 8%."
.
- "The new tokens, in different
demonstrations [sic] for different facilities, ..."
| 1.00 |
(white
metal) |
Verrazano Narrows
Bridge |
| .75 |
(copper) |
Triborough, Bronx
Whitestone and
Throgs Neck Bridges and the
Brooklyn Battery and Queens Midtown Tunnels |
| .50 |
(brass) |
Cross Bay, Marine
Parkway & Henry Hudson Bridges |
.
- "... minted six months ago by a
New England Company."
While
it remains unknown for certain, Roger Williams Mint was located in
Massachusetts and Rhode Island; and Scovill Manufacturing was in
Waterbury, Connecticut. Both of these were located in New England,
along with other manufacturers. Hopefully in the near future we will be
able to determine exactly which manufacturer produced these issues..
As
more documents are furnished to me by Ms. Hankins (the
TBTA archivist), several interesting facts come to light:
As stated in the 1982 and 1984 Tariff Sheets
accompanying
bond structuring, it is learned that after the initial release of the
.50, .75, and $1.00 "Wheel" tokens in 1976, sales of these tokens was
discontinued May 19, 1980 at the Henry Hudson, Cross Bay and Marine
Parkway Bridges.
It is also learned from these documents that
$10.00
booklets of 40 tickets (25 cents per trip) was used for the Rockaway
Residents between in January and October 1979; followed by the $20
booklets of 40 tickets (50 cents per trip) was used for Rockaway
Residents from June 16, 1980. These tickets were used in conjunction
with the tokens which were apparently used for non-residents.
Furthermore, from June 1981 through April 18, 1982; tolls at
the
Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridges were doubled in the southbound (to
Rockaway) direction only on an experiment basis.
It has to be kept in mind, that the intent of the tokens
were not to permit or control admittance to the bridges or tunnels, as
the subway tokens were used to gain admittance to the subway. The TBTA
tokens were used to encourage prepayment and speed in paying the toll
for regular commuters and toll users by using the exact change lanes,
and thereby reducing congestion and dwell time at the manned toll
booths.
To further encourage the use of the tokens (and in
allowing the agency to hold your money in advance); token rolls (as
well as books of scrip) were offered at a discount, to include the toll
payment due at that moment of passage. In
other words, if your rolled up to the toll booth in your car and the
cash toll was 50 cents; you could hand the toll clerk a $10 bill, and
say "a roll". You would get in return: a roll of 20 tokens, a dollar
bill for change, maybe a smile and away you drove.
And so, in consideration of purchasing that roll
of tokens
in advance, your toll fare was discounted 10% to 45 cents. And that
passage at the moment of purchase would be discounted as well.
It should be known that the
discounted price of token rolls varied over time
and was not set to one fixed amount due to several factors, whereas the
scrip was fixed to a 20% discount. The factors determining the token
discount were:
- the full passenger
automobile price of the toll at that time,
- the agreed upon rate of
discount as set forth by the administration tariff sheet.
- the quantity of tokens
in the roll,
- the "freebie" (a free
token or that trip included) and,
- whether
resident status accorded you an additional discount (Rockaway or Staten
Island Residents).
As a result of these variables, my
calculations reflect
that over the years the discount varied between 5% up to 44%
for
the Resident issues. The following table is a comparison of cash (full
fare) tolls, regular discount token amounts, the discount offered.
|
Major Crossings |
... |
Minor Crossings |
| date |
cash
(full toll fare)
(Major
/ VNB)
|
token |
roll
amount
&
= and this trip
i =
includes this trip
L =
loose |
discount %
|
token
for
Staten Island
resident |
roll
amount
&
= and this trip
i =
includes this trip
L =
loose |
S
I Resident
discount
% |
|
cash
(full toll fare)
|
token |
roll
amount
&
= and this trip
i = includes this trip
L = loose |
discount %
|
token
Rockaway Resident |
Rockaway
Resident discount
% |
| June
29, 1976 1 |
.75 |
.71 |
|
5.33
% |
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
.50 |
.42 |
|
16.00
% |
n/a |
n/a |
March
1, 1976 (VN)
June 29, 1976 |
1.00 |
.95 |
|
5.00
% |
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
n/a |
|
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
| May
19, 1980 |
1.00 |
? |
20 $20.00 |
? |
n/a |
|
n/a |
June 2, 1980
June 16, 1980
|
.60
(HH)
.75 (CB & MP) |
|
|
|
6, 7, 8 |
n/a |
April
19, 1982
|
1.25 |
1.10 |
20 $22.00 |
12.00
% |
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
.90 |
.60 |
19&
$12.00 |
33.33 % |
n/a |
n/a |
| June
23, 1983 2 |
1.25 |
~ |
same as above |
~ |
1.00 |
20 $20.00 |
20.00
% |
|
.90 |
.60 |
19&
$12.00 |
33.33 % |
n/a |
n/a |
| January
3, 1984 |
1.50 |
1.30
|
20 $26.00 |
13.33 % |
1.20 |
|
20.00
% |
|
.90 |
.60 |
19&
$12.00 |
33.33
% |
n/a |
n/a |
| January
1, 1986 |
1.75 |
1.50 |
|
14.28 % |
1.40 |
|
20.00
% |
|
1.00 |
.666 |
20i
$14.00 |
33.40
% |
n/a |
n/a |
| February
7, 1987 |
2.00 |
1.70 |
19i
$32.00 |
15.00 % |
1.60 |
|
20.00
% |
|
1.00 |
.666 |
20i
$14.00 |
33.40
% |
n/a |
n/a |
| March
15, 1987 3 |
2.00
/ 4.00 |
1.70 |
19i
$34.00 |
15.00
% |
1.25 |
|
37.50
% |
|
n/c |
n/c |
20i
$14.00 |
n/c |
n/a |
n/a |
| July
16, 1989 4 |
2.50
/ 5.00 |
2.10 |
9&
$21.00
20 $34.00?
8& 8& 1L 42.00 |
16.00
% |
4.20 |
|
16.00
% |
|
1.25 |
.833 |
11&
$10.00 |
33.36
% |
n/a |
n/a |
| January
31, 1993 4 |
3.00
/ 6.00 |
2.50 |
9&
25.00
8& 8& 1L $50.00 |
16.66
% |
4.00 |
|
33.33
% |
Cross
Bay & Marine Parkway Bridges |
1.50 |
.833 |
11&
$10.00 |
44.46
% |
n/a |
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Henry
Hudson Bridge ONLY |
1.50 |
1.00 |
9&
$10.00 |
33.36 % |
n/a |
n/a |
| March
24, 1996 5 |
3.50
/ 7.00 |
3.00 |
9&
$30.00 |
14.28
% |
6.00
|
|
14.28
% |
|
1.75 |
1.25 |
11&
$15.00 |
28.57
% |
1.00 9 |
42.85
% |
| May
18, 2003 |
4.00
/ 8.00 |
n/a |
|
n/a |
5.60 |
|
30.00
% |
|
2.00 |
1.33 |
|
33.50
% |
1.16 |
42.00
% |
| March
15, 2005 |
4.50
/ 9.00 |
n/a |
|
n/a |
6.40 |
|
28.88
% |
|
2.25 |
1.33 |
|
40.88
% |
1.33 |
40.88
% |
| March
16, 2008 |
5.00
/ 10.00 |
n/a |
|
n/a |
6.70 |
|
33.00
% |
|
2.50 |
1.67 |
|
33.20
% |
1.40 |
44.00% |
1
= Regular
discount token sales began June 29, 1976.
2
= Staten
Island Resident Discount effective on or shortly after this date.
3 =
tolls
doubled at Verrazano Narrows Bridge and collected westbound only on and
after this date.
4
= sales
of two rolls of 8 tokens, 1 loose token and this trip known for this
time span
5 =
Regular
discount token sales ended February 3, 1998. However, token sales for
Staten Island & Rockaway Resident appear to have continued
until 2015.
Token redemption ended April
30, 2017 Rockaway Residents (Cross Bay &
Marine Parkway Bridges) and for Staten Island Residents on September
30, 2017
(Verrazano Narrows Bridge).
6
= between
January and October 1979, Rockaway Residents were able to purchase 40
ticket books for $10.00 for use on the Cross Bay Bridge.
7
= between
June 16, 1980 and April 18, 1982; Rockaway Residents were able to
purchase 40 ticket books for $20.00 for use on Cross Bay and
Marine Parkway Bridges
8
= between
June 1981 and April 18, 1982 tolls on the Cross Bay and Marine Parkway
Bridges was doubled and collected only in the southbound direction as
an experiment.
9 =
brass
Rockaway Resident tokens issued in 1994
n/a = not applicable,
n/c = no change
Also, it should be noted that the tokens were only
available to Class 1 vehicles (2 axle passenger automobiles with no
trailers). All other vehicle classes regularly transiting through the
tolls were encouraged to use the scrip.
|
While
the individual tokens are nice to collect and display so as to admire
the design, it is the roll and / or wrapper that is the essence of
history. While individual tokens are seen plentifully for sale, intact
rolls are another matter.
Since
the same token may have been used for different values over it history,
it is pertinent to the serious collector to know which values, and
rightly associated with that, the dates of usage.
Only patience (which I suffer from a deficiency
of) is
needed to fill in the gaps of which rolls were used when. As research
into this subject continues, more and more roll and pack quantities
come to light. To date, we are now aware of rolls of 8, 9, 10,
11,
19 and 20 and packs of 5, 10 and 20; but keep in mind, not all rolls or
packs existed at the same time. But it is only until the roll or
wrapper appears, that we can we actually visualize which was used
where, and when.
When token packaging first began in June 1976; the .50, .75
and
1.00 "Wheel" tokens were packaged in plastic bags containing 20 tokens.
The only "discount" was a free token given with each package. As a
result, the discount was minimal: around 5%.
Unfortunately, I have not found any images of intact rolls or
packs of the "Wheel" style tokens as yet. But I now own
wrappers
for those rolls thanks to George Cuhaj. The following two wrappers
where for the "Wheel" style tokens release in June 1976. Unfortunately,
the .75 cent wrapper in missing but appeared almost the same, but in
orange ink and marked for .75 cents.
 |
 |
| .50 cent
- NY630AU |
1.00 cent
- NY630AW |
| collection of Philip M. Goldstein |
Following
those wrappers above, came the next issue, the revised .75 cent token
(NY630AZ) larger and thicker than the first.) Note how the diagonal
stripes have been replaced with an elongated and alternating isosceles
triangle. This token was issued in 1979, therefore the roll / wrapper
is assumed to have been issued at the same time as well.
 |
|
.75 -
NY630AZ
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
The earliest intact rolls I now have in my collection, are
the brass "Big M" NY630BA M
100 tokens. I was fortunate enough to acquire two different rolls at
the same time, each unique on their own. One is red printing and has
images of the tokens adorning the wrapper. The other, containing the
same tokens, is printed in blue and without the token images.
At this time, I am unsure of which wrapper was
issued
first or at the same time. I would surmise that the more ornate red
wrapper was issued first; then simplified. As the NY630BA tokens were
issued August 23, 1980; we at least know the earliest date these rolls
would have been issued. The question remains, does the blue wrapper
denote a change in value and was issued when the cost of the tokens as
raised to $1.25? In any case, it is currently thought (by me) the
latest these rolls would have been issued is presumably 4/18/1982 when
the NY630BD copper plated "List" tokens were released.
 |  |
 |
 |
..... |
 |
 |
NY630BA
(roll) - "TBTA 20 TOKENS"
Issued
August 23, 1980 through April 18, 1982?
(Red wrapper with token images)
Images are approximately actual size.
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
|
NY630BA
(roll) - "TBTA 20 TOKENS"
Issued
August 23, 1980? through April 18, 1982?
(Blue wrapper without token images)
Images are approximately actual size.
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
Commencing with
the next issue of token, the NY630BD copper plated "List"; we now see
roll quantities of 9 and 19.
The roll of 9 or 19 may seem like an odd
quantity to
roll coinage or tokens. Well, there was a reason for this: most daily
commuters bought a roll of tokens on payday or on the first day of a
work week, and most of those drivers made two one-way trips per day:
one to work, another to come home; for the five business days per work
week. That equals 10 trips through the toll booth per week or 20 trips
per two week period. But, you also had to charge for the trip through
the toll booth you were on at
that moment
to buy those tokens. If the rolls were 10 and 20, that would equals 11
or 21 tokens, and that would mean coinage into the mix.
So the rolls of 9 and 19 "and this trip" made
things nice and simple for the commuter.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NY630BD
(roll) - Major Crossings, "ROLL OF 19 TOKENS $34.00 INCLUDES THIS TRIP"
Issued
commensurate with February 7, 1987 toll schedule until July
16, 1989.
Images are approximately actual size.
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
The next Major Crossings roll issued chronologically is this
example. Again, NY630BD remains the issued token. The wrapper is
unbleached kraft paper with light blue ink. Notably, the numeral 9 is
underlined (to differentiate it from an upside down 6): 9
TOKENS AND THIS TRIP $21.00
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
v |
 |
NY630BD
(roll) - Major Crossings, "ROLL OF 9 TOKENS AND THIS
TRIP" $21.00
Issued
commensurate with January 1, 1993 toll schedule until March 23, 1996.
Images are approximately actual size.
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
As I
stated previously, I had known of the existence of
the roll of "9 tokens and this trip", but did not have one in
my
collection. This roll below needed a home too; so I purchased it as
well. If my calculations are correct, this $30.00 roll is dated from
the institution of March 24, 1996 toll schedule; whereas full toll rate
was $3.50; and the discount token (with purchase of a roll) was
$3.00: $30.00 ÷ 10 = $3.00 x 10% discount = $2.70. That would mean actual
purchase price of the roll would be $27.00: 10 x $2.70 = $27.00.
Wait. $2.70 per token??? That does not make sense as
tokens
were not discounted to $2.70. They were either discounted to $2.50
(from the $3.00 full rate in 1993 to 1996) or $3.00 (from the $3.50
full rate in 1996 to 1998). And it definitely would not be
from
full fare $3.50 to discounted $2.50, as that would entail a 28.57%
discount, substantially more than the prepaid books of 20% discounted
toll scrip!
So, it led me to start recalculating. Why the difference in
discount amount? It is known that the discount for ticket books
increased from 10% to 20% circa 1985. While unconfirmed, it stands to
reason the discount for a token roll purchase increased as well.
And, we also know the price of the discount for a token roll
varied depending on whether a regular token, a Staten Island resident
or a Rockaway resident. So it is therefore concluded at this time the
discounts for rolls varied (including fractions of a percent) depending
on time frame and use.
As I computed I noticed the discount varies based
on the
prices. If a straight 10% discount existed throughout all toll rates
over history would require loose change. While $1.00 discounted 10% =
90 cents, a roll of 10 therefore would cost $9.00. Easy enough, a
dollar change for a $10 dollar bill. But remember! There were 50 cent
tokens, 75 cent tokens as well as $1.00 tokens.
And as the tolls went up, to $1.25, then $1.50,
and so on,
the rate of discount was adjusted to keep the token value close enough
to the nearest quarter, i.e.: $3.50 cash toll discounted 10% = $3.15.
3.15 x 10 = $31.50. Change would at least have to include two quarters
and three one dollar bills, and possibly a five dollar bill if a
motorist was handing over two twenties.
So, there was need for the discount percentage to
be
adjusted, otherwise multiple coinage and bill denominations would come
into play in both paying and handling change, and thereby
slowing
down the transaction at the booth.
My
calculations reflect that for this roll (9 TOKENS AND
THIS TRIP) and amount ($30), the corresponding discount would either be
16.67% to reduce the amount from full fare $3.00 per trip to the
discounted $2.50 (1993 to 1996); or 14.29% to get it from full fare
$3.50 per trip to discounted $3.00 (1996 to 1998). So at a 14.29%
discount, the roll of tokens cost an even $30.00.
Therefore, I believe this roll / wrapper
/ value
combination to be the last roll style issued for sale and should have
seen use until February 3, 1998; when token sales
for the Major Crossings were officially discontinued. (Resident tokens
remained for sale.)
The tokens themselves would remain redeemable
until September 30, 2017.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NY630BD
(roll) - Major Crossings, "ROLL OF 9 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP" $30.00
(shown approximately actual size)
Issued commensurate with March 24, 1996 toll schedule through May 18,
1998 (when token sales ceased)
Images are approximately actual size.
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
Oh, those Rolls of 8!
In an article
from the New York Times, dated July 16, 1989; it mentions
"Some
delays were reported yesterday at the Queens-Midtown Tunnel when more
eastbound motorists than usual lined up to buy a roll of nine tokens
for $17. The price of a roll rose to $21 today. Drivers were permitted
to buy only one roll of tokens. They are good on the three major
bridges and two tunnels, where the toll is now $2.50."
However, the discovery of the roll of "8 TOKENS AND
THIS TRIP" leaves us really stymied. To what purpose would 8 serve? One
per day, an extra plus "and this trip"? Was it to keep the purchase
price of the roll to the nearest nickel or dime? I just don't
know
at this time and neither does Ms. Hankins.
Until finding that roll of 8; I had personally
only encountered rolls of "9 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP". I
would learn; by reviewing one of the order forms of the TBTA for
December 1986, it is reflected that one could order rolls
of 60
cent tokens for $11.40, and 1.30 tokens for $24.70 each. This equates
to rolls of 19 tokens per roll, but this is an inter-governmental order
and I didn't think much more about it.
The packs of of 5 and 10 make sense for the Verrazano Narrows
Bridge / Staten Island Resident. Tolls are only collected one way:
westbound from Brooklyn. So they would only require 5 tokens per work
week or 10 tokens for every two work weeks.
Ms. Hankins, the TBTA archivist; has not located
any rolls or
wrappers saved for posterity in their archives as yet, nor did she have
knowledge other than the rolls of 19 (to which I immediately knew was
not complete accounting). With
my procurement of this roll of "8 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP", she is now
adding this data to the archives to reflect its existence and research
is ongoing. The packs of 20 are mentioned in a New York Times article.
Another purchasing variable concerning token sales
that
has come to light, is in the way of an letter dated January 13, 1992
from Michael
C. Ascher; President of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority in
reply to a letter to the editor, published December 20, 1991 in the New
York Times:
"To the Editor:
Customers at New York
City's Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority
facilities are not limited to purchasing a single roll of nine
discounted tokens as Josh Stern writes (letter, Dec. 20).
At
any of our facilities, you may buy for $42 two nine-pack rolls of
tokens, one loose token and the toll passage you are making.
We began selling tokens
in smaller rolls when a survey showed more customers would use them."
So
while I knew of the rolls of "9 TOKEN AND THIS
TRIP" were prolific; when this roll of "8 TOKENS AND
THIS
TRIP" appeared on eBay, I knew I had to bring it home.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NY630BD
(roll) - Major Crossings, "ROLL OF 8 TOKENS AND THIS
TRIP" $21.00
Sold in groups of two with one loose token for $42.00
Issued commensurate with July 16, 1989 toll schedule until January 31,
1993.
Images are approximately actual size.
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
I have since added another roll of "8 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP"
to
the collection, this one marked for $25.00 (seen below). But I still
had not been able to figure out what the rolls of "8 TOKENS AND THIS
TRIP" were for. My math shows $21.00 ÷ 9 = $2.33 and
$25.00 ÷ 9 = $2.77.
Neither of those amounts are listed in the schedules, but the Class 2
tolls (for private auto with single axle trailer, three axle motorhome
and three axles franchise bus) are close: $2.25 (1987) and $2.75 (1989)
respectively. Close, but no cigar...
However, adding an additional 10% discount to the
amounts, will bring us to within a few hundredths of a cent to $2.10
and $2.50 respectively; which were the discounted token amounts with
purchase of the rolls. But this is essentially a doubled discount. What
class of vehicle or user would be entitled to a doubled discount? None
according to the tariffs, and discount tokens were not offered to the
Class 2 vehicles.
Even as something as simple as that letter to the
editor
above and its reply raised questions: the letter to the editor
was
written in December 1991 and the reply January 1992. It mentions
"nine-pack rolls of tokens". So where does the roll of "8 TOKENS AND
THIS TRIP" factor in, as it too was issued during this time
period: 1989-1993?
One of my faults, that I freely and
openly admit to, is my
obsessing over problems. I had to know what these rolls of "8 TOKEN AND
THIS TRIP" were used for, and I kept looking on the web. Ironically,
President Ascher's letter to the editor of the New York Times, January
30, 1992 kept coming up, so I read it over and over again.
So reluctantly, I decided to do even more math. (For the
record,
I hate math. I'm better at science and even better as a historian!) On
a whim, I worked out the token value with the sales breakdown
above: two rolls of "8 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP" (9 trips total x 2 = 18);
plus one loose token and the one trip being taken at the time of
purchase: 18 + 1 + 1 = 20 trips for $42.00.
$42.00 ÷
20 trips = $2.10. Now there is a number I can live with! The $2.10
token value was precisely commensurate with the $2.50 full cash fare
collected July 16, 1989 through January 31, 1993!
To test this equation, I tried the same
math with the
$25 roll of "8 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP": $25.00 x 2 = $50.00 ÷ 20
trips = $2.50 per token! Which is of course is exactly the discounted
token amount for January 31, 1993 through March
24, 1996.
Attempting this equation with the rolls of "9 TOKENS AND THIS
TRIP" does not work.
So it my conclusion at this time that while the "8
TOKENS
AND THIS TRIP" rolls could be sold singly (for $21.00), their intended
purpose was to be sold two at a time with one loose token and
the
trip at that time for $42.00. Let us hope this can be confirmed by some
document in the TBTA archives!
Another minor observation made from the comparison of the
roll of
"8 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP" and the roll of "9 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP"; the
rolls are of the same length (wrappers are of the same width), but the
crimp on one end of "8 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP" is deeper than on the "9
TOKENS AND THIS TRIP"; thereby taking up the space of the ninth token.
Rolls for "Minor Crossings"
As with the
Major Crossings, we know of rolls for the Minor Crossings as
well.
Acquired from George Cuhaj, is a wrapper for 19
Tokens
$12.00 INCLUDES THIS TRIP. So, $12.00 ÷ 20 = .60 cents per
token.
We also bear witness to a roll of 20 TOKENS INCLUDES THIS
TRIP
for $14.00. And, with a little time between purchases (about 2 months)
we now know there are currently two distinct varieties of these
wrappers known.
Both are unbleached kraft paper with red ink;
however, one
roll which (we will call Type 1); has the M logo with splayed legs
(which appears visually to be an upside down W).
The other (which will be referred to here as Type
2) has
an simple straight legged M. Also the line spacing between MARINE /
HENRY HUDSON / CROSSBAY is wider on the Type 1 than on the Type 2, and
the font not as large or bold.
At this time it is not known which type preceded
the other
or if it was due to the result of different printing contracts.
 |
 |
 |
|
Type 1 |
|
Type 2 |
NY630BC (roll
- Type 1) - Minor Crossings, "ROLL OF 20 TOKENS INCLUDES THIS
TRIP" $14.00
Issued
commensurate with February 7, 1987 through July 15, 1989 toll schedule.
Images are approximately actual size.
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
.
. |
|
.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
splayed
leg "M"
or upside down "W" |
|
straight
leg "M" |
NY630BC (roll
- Type 2) - Minor Crossings, "ROLL OF 20 TOKENS INCLUDES THIS
TRIP" $14.00
Issued
commensurate with February 7, 1987 through July 15, 1989 toll schedule.
Images are approximately actual size.
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
|
|
|
|
The "11 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP - $10.00" for the
Minor Crossings roll.
The
existence of this next roll is
due to images that were located on the web as part of a completed
auction value aggregating service from a listing some time ago. I have since acquired a wrapper from George Cuhaj.
This quantity also
does
not configure to the 5 and 10 trip per commuter week. And again we find
ourselves asking: why? But, when we do the math, the $10.00
roll amount divided by 12 trips = .833 cents per token. This conforms
to the tariffs for minor crossings perfectly for the time range listed
in the tariffs.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NY630BC
(roll) - Minor Crossings, "ROLL OF 11 TOKENS AND THIS
TRIP" $10.00
Issued
commensurate with July 16, 1989 toll schedule until January 31, 1993.
Images
are approximately actual size.
|
In August of 2020; I encountered an eBay auction for a
partial
roll of Minor Crossing tokens. At first it didn't look like anything
special, but then I requested images of the wrapper and the seller
responded. Images showed 9 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP - $10.00, which I did
not have in my collection. So, I bid on it and won. Upon arrival, I
repaired the wrapper as best as I willing to accept.
At first, I had a little difficulty determining
the era of usage.
I really need to learn how to take my time, read slower and in more
detail. As it would happen, I did not notice the first twenty times I
referred to the tables; that the toll discount was different between
the Henry Hudson and Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridge for the period
January 31, 1993 through March 24, 1996:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NY630BC
(roll) - Minor Crossings, "ROLL OF 9 TOKENS AND THIS
TRIP" $10.00
Issued
commensurate with January 31, 1993 through March 24, 1996 tariff table
and this roll would only be sold at the Henry Hudson Bridge..
Images are approximately actual size.
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
$10.00 divided by 10 trips = equals an even $1.00 per trip.
That is simple enough math. But the fun really began when I went to fit
it into my tabulation. When
you reference the toll tariff tables, the only period of time that the
toll was $1.00 with a token and for a minor crossing is
January
31, 1993, where the full fare was $1.50 at the Henry Hudson Bridge. The
token fare was .833 at Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridges (full fare
also $1.50). But, as we can see, the roll is clearly marked for all
three bridges.
This raises the question: were the rolls simply
marked for
all three bridges, yet actually sold for different amounts even though
marked for $10.00? I inquired of my contact at the TBTA, Ms. Hankins;
and our correspondence follows:
Me:
I've
encountered a token roll wrapper for Minor Crossings, 9 tokens and this
trip, $10. So, 10 trips = $10 = $1.00 per trip. However, the only
discounted toll token tariff that this matches up to is Henry Hudson
Bridge, 1/31/1993 through 3/24/1996, and oddly enough, the Cross Bay
and Marine Parkway during this time was .833 per trip. Yet, this
wrapper is marked for all three minor crossings and
is the
usual copper plated token used.
Ms. Hankins:
Great
question! The toll rates for those 3 facilities usually, though not
always, rose in tandem (the 1980 toll increase did not’t hit the Henry
Hudson), but that does not’t answer the question of why the tokens
would be honored at different rates. Again, though, I have a very hard
time imagining that the tokens were sold at one rate and accepted at
another.
Me:
And
therein lies the problem. While the Westchester Resident would have had
to paid that increase, so would the Rockaway Residents even though
their toll didn't go up if the roll is sold at the same rate. And I
don't see them doing that - not without a fight! LOL ~ Look how
vociferous the SI residents were..
So
would this mean the rolls sold at the Henry Hudson would be of
different quantity & sale amount than those rolls sold at Cross
Bay
& Marine Parkway because of the different applicable token
discount
value, yet the tokens remain interchangeable at all three for
simplicity? It works out to be a 17 cent difference, but I
cannot
see Westchester motorists driving 40 miles roundtrip and out of the way
to save 1.70 on a roll of 10 tokens!
Ms.
Hankins
I
would be very surprised if they sold tokens at one value but accepted
them for a higher value at a different facility. Not only does that
sound like a nightmare for our accounting department and their balance
sheets, but there’s a chance that it would create legal issues with
regard to our bonds, which are backed by the toll revenues.
This
is another guess, but I know that the cash bags that we collected from
each facility were color coded to help keep them from getting mixed up
during the sorting and counting process. We had very tight controls on
the cash and tokens, and my guess is that the color coding on the token
rolls was another visual marker to keep them separate while they were
sorted and shipped. I’ve never seen any kind of discussion on the color
coding in the historic records.
While
I feel itself, with bags coded (color or marked otherwise), the TBTA
could keep track of the location. If Henry Hudson Bridge tokens was
indeed charged at a different rate the Cross Bay and Marine Parkway,
bags from HH would be accounted differently.. Dump the bag in the
sorting / counting machine, and what ever the counter read, multiply it
by the tariff for Henry Hudson or the Cross Bay or Marine Parkway
Bridges.
I
kept telling myself, how many drivers would have really looked at the
printing on the rolls to notice if it said $10 or $11? But
Ms. Hankins had a point in regards to accounting. So this got me
thinking some more - the token makes the passage
interchangeable
among all three crossings. But was the wrapper itself used at
all
three or was there one wrapper for use at Henry Hudson Bridge and
marked for $10.00 and another in a different quantity of tokens and
sale amount for Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridges?
I pondered
this for several days. Then I had an epiphany. If one references the
tariffs for the period before, (July 16, 1989) the discount token was
.833 for all three Minor Crossings. But with the January 31, 1993
tariff, only the Henry
Hudson toll increased;
the Cross Bay &
Marine Parkway remained the same at .833. This
means, only the roll wrappers sold at the Henry Hudson would have to be
adjusted for the new prepaid token discount rate of $1.00. Whatever
roll that was in use for the prior tariff would just stay in use again,
albeit only at Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridges.
I had been thinking about it all wrong. One roll did not
replace another roll, as I have come to expect with a change in value,
but in this case they
were both sold during the same time frame with the rolls of 11
TOKENS AND THIS TRIP - $10.00 sold only at Cross Bay and Marine Parkway
Bridges and the 9 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP - $10.00 sold only at the Henry
Hudson Bridge. But since the tokens were interchangeable, they were
marked for all three crossings. This is the second time I got caught
thinking this way, like I did with the Major Crossing Rolls of 8, which
were sold alongside the rolls of 9 only with the rolls of 8
sold in pairs.
And this raises an interesting fact which I had mentioned to
Ms.
Hankins. With the Rockaway rolls of tokens priced cheaper than the
Henry Hudson Bridge roll of token, what was to stop an enterprising
(a/k/a cheapskate) Westchester or northern Manhattan resident from
buying the rolls at a Rockaway Crossing and using them at the Henry
Hudson thereby saving 17 cents a token or $1.70 per roll? In reality,
nothing; except it was a 40 mile round trip through two or
three
boroughs between Westchester and the Rockaways
(depending on how you went), all with traffic, traffic lights, etc. For
that era, what with an average vehicle economy of 20 mpg would have
eaten most of the "profit" considering a 2 gallon round trip at $1.30
per gallon for that period of time in New York City.
Honestly, it could not have been much of an issue
for the
TBTA as there is some factor built in to the expected revenues and
shortfalls due to toll evaders, use of slugs, etc; so there would have
to be some sort of "leeway" or "buffer" in the accounting to account
for variables such as this.
Moving
along to the next tariff sheet of 1996; this next roll was
issued: "11 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP" but the price is now $15.00.
Please keep in mind, there should be another roll similar to this one:
"11 TOKENS AND THIS TRIP" but which would be valued at $11.00; and
would precede this issue $15.00; but it has not been seen as yet and
will be added went it is observed.
Nevertheless, this next roll conforms to the TBTA
Minor
Bridge toll tariff for the period of March 24, 1996 through May 17,
2003 ($1.75 cash fare, $1.25 discounted token, commensurate with the
published 28.57 % discount:
 |
 |
 |
 |
NY630BC
(roll) - Minor Crossings, "ROLL OF 11 TOKENS AND THIS
TRIP" $15.00
Issued
commensurate with March 24, 1996 toll schedule until May 17, 2003.
Images are approximately actual size.
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
This
next chart is a compilation of known token rolls and packs and IS NOT
complete. New roll types will be added as they are discovered and some
information may change as new data arrives. For the most part, the data
contained is either empirical from examples in my collection (√ ), images on the web ( ∞ ), from toll receipts ( Θ ) or mentioned in newspaper
articles ( ₦ ).
Observed Rolls
packaging
& quantity - offer
token description
A/C #
(notes
/ remarks)
|
discounted
purchase amount marked on the roll
[full cash fare in brackets]
(value
of token in parenthesis and includes the free trip or free
token)
date(s)
of use.
|
6/1976
5/18/1980 |
6/1976
5/18/1980 |
5/19/1980
4/18/1982 |
4/19/1982
1/2/1984 |
1/3/1984
12/31/1985 |
1/1/1986
2/6/1987 |
2/7/1987
7/15/1989 |
7/16/1989
1/30/1993 |
1/31/1993
3/23/1996 |
3/24/1996 to
2/3/1998 *
|
|
Rolls of Denominations
|
TBTA 20 TOKENS .50
(+ 1 free w/ purchase)
brass plated "Wheel" - NY630AU |
  |
$10 √
[.50] (.42)
6/1976
- 5/19/1980 |
|
|
TBTA
20 TOKENS .75
(+ 1 free w/ purchase)
copper
plated "Wheel" - NY630AV |
wrapper design similar
to above or below but with orange diagonal stripes and marked for $.75 |
|
$15 Θ
[.75]
(.71)
6/1976 -
1979? |
|
TBTA
20 TOKENS $1.00
(+ 1 free w/ purchase)
white metal plated "Wheel" - NY630AW |
  |
|
$20
√
[1.00]
(.95)
6/1976 - 5/19/1980 |
|
TBTA 20 TOKENS
.75
(+ 1 free w/ purchase)
thicker & larger
29mm copper plated "Wheel" - NY630AZ |
  |
|
$15 √
[.75]
(.71)
1979 - 1982 |
|
TBTA 20
TOKENS $1.00
and free token
brass 'M100'
NY630BA
The significance of the red
vs. blue
wrapper seen
below is not yet known. Tokens are the same in either roll. |
 |
 |
  |
$20 √
[1.00]
(.952)
8/23/1980 - 4/18/1982 |
$20 √
[1.00] (.952)
8/23/1980 -
4/18/1982 |
|
|
21
and free token
Major Crossings
brass
'M100'
NY630BA |
|
|
|
Replaced with
above 20 copper "List" NY630BD token below |
|
|
$22
[1.00]
(.95)
? to 4/19/1982 |
|
| Rolls - Major
Crossings |
|
6/1976
5/18/1980 |
6/1976
5/18/1980 |
5/19/1980
4/18/1982 |
4/19/1982
1/2/1984 |
1/3/1984
12/31/1985 |
1/1/1986
2/6/1987 |
2/7/1987
7/15/1989 |
7/16/1989
1/30/1993 |
1/31/1993
3/23/1996 |
3/24/1996 to
2/3/1998 *
|
19
TOKENS
INCLUDES THIS TRIP
Major
Crossings
copper
"List"
NY630BD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$22?
[1.25] (1.10) |
$26?
[1.50](1.30) |
30?
[1.75](1.50) |
$34 √
[2.50]
(1.70)
|
|
|
|
|
8
TOKENS
AND THIS TRIP
Major Crossings
copper "List"
NY630BD
|
While
these rolls could have figuratively been sold individually,
this
would not accord the driver the full discount at $2.10 and $2.50
respectively from the full cash toll of $2.50 and $3.00, as single roll
sales calculate to $2.33 per token for the $21.00 roll and $2.77 per
token for the $25.00 roll.
Therefore it is believed that these roll quantities were packaged and
intended to be sold in groups of two, with a single loose token and the
trip being taken at the time of purchase; for a total of 20 trips
purchased, as stated in TBTA President Michael C. Ascher's letter to
the editor, New York Times, January
13, 1992. |
 |
 |
|
$21
√
(x2 rolls +1 loose)
[2.50] (2.10)
7/16/1989 to 1/30/1993
|
$25
√
(x2 rolls +1 loose)
[3.00] (2.50)
1/31/1993
to
3/24/1996
|
|
|
9
TOKENS AND THIS TRIP
Major Crossings
copper
"List"
NY630BD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$17
₦
[2.00]
(1.70)
2/7/1987 to
7/15/1989 |
$21
√
[2.50]
(2.10)
7/16/1989 to 1/30/1993 |
$25 √
[3.00]
(2.50)
1/31/1993 to 3/23/1996 |
$30
√
[3.50]
(3.00)
3/24/1996 to 2/3/1998 |
|
10 and this trip
Major Crossings
copper "List"
NY630BD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$21 ₦
[2.50] (2.10)
7/16/1989 to
1/30/1993 |
|
|
|
19
Major Crossings
(inter-governmental) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$24.70
[1.75]
(1.30)
1986 |
|
|
|
|
19 INCLUDES THIS TRIP
Major
Crossings
w/ Staten Island Discount
copper
"List"
NY630BD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$32 Θ
[2.50]
(1.60)
2/7/1987
to
7/15/1989 |
|
|
|
|
20
Major
Crossings
copper
"List"
NY630BD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$34
7/16/1989
- 1/30/1993 |
|
|
|
20 including 1 free trip
Major Crossings
copper
"List"
NY630BD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rolls
- Minor Crossings |
|
6/1976
5/18/1980 |
6/1976
5/18/1980 |
5/19/1980
4/18/1982 |
4/19/1982
1/2/1984 |
1/3/1984
12/31/1985 |
1/1/1986
2/6/1987 |
2/7/1987
7/15/1989 |
7/16/1989
1/30/1993 |
1/31/1993
3/23/1996 |
3/24/1996 to
2/3/1998 *
|
Rolls
of
20 TOKENS
no discount, but 1 token free at time of
purchase
brass
plated "Wheel" - NY630AU |
|
50
cent tokens
used?
25 cent tickets used for residents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
TOKENS
INCLUDES THIS TRIP
Minor Crossings
copper
"List"
NY630BC
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$12
√ Θ
[.90]
(.60)
4/19/1982 to 1/2/1984 |
$12 √ Θ
[.90]
(.60)
1/3/1984 to
12/31/1985 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
TOKENS
INCLUDES THIS TRIP
Minor
Crossings
copper
"List"
NY630BC
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$14 √
[1.00]
(.666)
1/1/1986
to 2/6/1987 |
$14 √
[1.00]
(.666)
2/7/1987
to 7/15/1989 |
|
|
|
|
11
TOKENS
AND THIS TRIP
Minor Crossings
copper
"List"
NY630BC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$10
[1.25]
(.833)
7/16/1989 - 1/30/1993 |
$10
[1.50] (.833)
1/30/1993
-
3/23/1996
This roll and
wrapper sold only at Cross Bay & Marine Parkway Bridges during
this time frame.
(Tokens good at at all minor crossings) |
$15 √
[1.75] (1.25)
3/24/1996
5/17/2003
Beginning
1994 Rockaway Residents were now issued the Rockaway Resident token to
accommodate the additional resident discount to $1.00
|
|
9 TOKENS
AND THIS TRIP
Minor Crossings
copper
"List"
NY630BC |
|
 |
|
|
$10 √
[1.50] (1.00)
1/31/1993
-
3/24/1996
This
roll and wrapper sold only at Henry Hudson Bridge
during this time frame.
(Tokens good at at all minor crossings)
|
|
|
19
Minor Crossings
(inter-governmental) |
unknown
if this roll was specially marked
or denominated for
Inter
Governmental use |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$11.40
Θ
[1.00]
(.60)
1986 |
|
|
|
|
.
Rolls / Packs -
Residents Only
|
Roll of of 12? - Rockaway
Residents Only
Minor
Crossings
copper "List" NY630BC or brass "Resident" - NY631Y |
Rockaway
Resident Tokens were issued in the middle of a tariff schedule, and
therefore are not associated with toll raising date. |
1994 to 4/30/2017 |
|
Pack
of 5 - Staten
Island Residents Only
brass "Resident" -
NY632D
(unknown if "4 and this
trip" or 5 actual tokens)
|
Staten
Island Resident Tokens were issued in the middle of a tariff schedule,
and therefore are not associated with toll raising date. |
11/1993
to 9/30/2017 |
|
Pack
of 10 - Staten
Island Residents Only
brass "Resident" -
NY632D
(unknown if "9 and this
trip" or 10 actual tokens)n/a
|
Staten
Island Resident Tokens were issued in the middle of a tariff schedule,
and therefore are not associated with toll raising date. |
11/1993
to 9/30/2017 |
|
Packs
Several official documents and
newspaper articles use the term "packs of 20".
As we only have encountered rolls of 20, this raises the question if
those documents are referring to actual packs (sealed bags or envelopes
of paper or plastic) or they were actually referring to tubular rolls.
This remains to be determined. |
Pack of 20
Major Crossings
|
|
$22
[1.10]
4/21/1982 |
|
$30
[1.75]
(1.40)
1/1/1986- 2/6/1987 |
|
|
$34
[2.00]
(1.60)
2/7/1987 - 7/16/1989 |
|
|
|
packaging
& quantity - offer
token description
A/C #
(notes
/ remarks) |
6/1976
5/18/1980 |
6/1976
5/18/1980 |
5/19/1980
4/18/1982 |
4/19/1982
1/2/1984 |
1/3/1984
12/31/1985 |
1/1/1986
2/6/1987 |
2/7/1987
7/15/1989 |
7/16/1989
1/30/1993 |
1/31/1993
3/23/1996 |
3/24/1996 to
2/3/1998 *
|
|
discounted
purchase amount marked on the roll
[full cash fare in brackets]
(value
of token in parenthesis and includes the free trip or free
token)
date(s)
of use.
|
|
Footnotes:
Mail orders of tokens ended 5/14/1982
Minor and Major Crossing ("List" token) Roll sales ended 2/3/1998
Rockaway
and Staten
Island Resident Tokens remained for sale only to the respective
residents until 4/30 and 9/30/2017
All
token redemption ended 9/30/2017
√ =
in authors collection
∞ = visually
confirmed to exist (internet auction or archives)
Θ = listed on toll receipts or other official documents
₦ = mentioned in newspaper |
|
|
Mail
Order Sales
Other
than purchasing them at the toll booths, token rolls were also
available by mail.
To
be mailed; the token rolls, due to weight
and non-machinability in
postal sorting machines; a roll would have either have to have been
sent first class mail with a non-machinable surcharge added to the base
postage; or parcel post, which is processed at a much slower rate due
to irregular sizes & weights than first class.
No mention is made
of additional shipping charges for the
token rolls by mail; so we conclude the TBTA absorbed those postage
costs and incurred a reduced margin of revenue. Ms. Hankins suggested
the "and this trip" was not redeemed through a mail order, so this
offset the postage costs incurred by the TBTA.
It is mentioned in at least one New York Times
article dated April 20, 1982 that:
"Tokens
for any of the bridges or tunnels can be purchased at tollbooths or at
the authorities administration building on Randall's Island. No credit
cards or checks will be accepted. Tokens can also be purchased by mail
by sending a check or money order to the Triborough Bridge &
Tunnel
Authority, Randall's Island, New York, NY 10035."
"A
packet of
20 tokens costs $22.00" reducing the trip cost of each trip to $1.10."
As the time this was published (the day after the toll fare
increase
of April 19), the full fare for a passenger automobile (with no
trailer) was $1.25. $1.25 reduced to $1.10 works out to a 12%
discount.
The use of the word "packet" raised a
potential
question as well. A packet infers a small enclosed envelope: (the NYCTA
offered ten tokens in a clear plastic bag approximately 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
and called a "TimeSaver Pak". But a roll is significantly different
from a packet. When someone asks for a packet of coins from a bank, we
will be met with a blank stare. Ask for a roll and there are no
questions.
The use of a packet, being
flatter and more flexible; would allow it to be processed via automated
sorting machines and therefore shipped expeditiously via first class.
With the discovery of the June 1976 New York Times article seen at the
beginning of this chapter, we now have confirmation of the use of
plastic bags for packaging 20 tokens. If anyone out there has an actual
token pack (as opposed to a roll) for the TBTA tokens, send an image
and we could put this matter to rest.
While the TBTA order forms for the public as seen in the Internal
Documents & Reference Materials chapter later in this
website clearly show scrip ticket books available by mail,
these forms do not list tokens (with the exception of the
inter-governmental order).
But, we have confirmation via Ms. Hankins that the
TBTA
did in fact offer tokens by mail. Because such practice was
discontinued in 1982! Included in the minutes of a meeting taking place
of May 14, 1982 (not 4 weeks after the New York Time article above),
the following is recorded:
.
Individual Full Fare
Token Sales:
.
If my
memory serves me correctly, I also distinctly
recall toll collectors selling "the List" tokens individually for full
price.
If
your journey was to be round trip and the toll rate was $3.50
at
the crossing at that time, you could pull up to the manned full service
/ receipts toll booth, hand the toll collector $7.00 and request a
token as change for the return trip.
This way; on your return trip you
could save a little time, by avoiding the manned toll lanes and use the
exact change lanes. With token in hand, you approached the collection
basket at a slow roll in your car, rolled down your window and flung
your token into the basket without actually stopping and gunned the
accelerator.
Overall Design
Characteristics of the Token Issues:
.
There are four major styles of TBTA token issues:
"the Wheel", "the Big M", "the List" and "the
Resident".
These are informal names that I have assigned to them to identify and
discuss them easier.
The "Wheel"
design is the first issue, and released in June 29, 1976. They are seen
in three denominations: 50 (brass plated), 75 (copper plated)
and
100 (white metal plated) with several subtypes of the 75 cent token
being known:
thin border rim, thick border rim, small letter, large letter and a
solid brass. Some of these variants may not be intentional design
changes (with the exception of the solid brass issue), but a result of
contracting with different manufacturers over time.
They all carry the splayed leg 'M'
logo of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. As this logo was
adopted for use in 1968, the tokens were logically issued after this
date. While the Atwood Coffee catalog attributes the earliest issue
date as 1975, the newspaper article and internal information from the
TBTA confirms June 29, 1976 as the first time the tokens were released
for circulation to the public. Therefore, the date listed in the Atwood
Coffee may be the manufacturing date. The manufacturer is
unknown
at this time.
There are several common factors among all four series of
TBTA tokens:
1)
all TBTA tokens are medallion orientation;
The lettering on all tokens of all four issues is of
medallion
orientation, that being if your hold the token with your fingers at the
12 and 6 o' clock positions (vertical axis), and turn the
token; the writing on both sides remains readable. A coin
orientation means if you hold the token (or coin) with your fingers at
the 9 and 3 o'clock positions (horizontal axis), and turn
the coin or token over, both sides remains readable;
(but
when flipped at 12 and 6 o'clock, one side is upside down).
2)
all known tokens EXCEPT
the NY632D (Staten Island Resident), have a reeded edge (that is,
grooved like a US dime or quarter, not smooth like a penny or nickel);
whereas the NY632D (Staten Island Resident) has a
smooth rolled edge;
3)
all known tokens have a solid design, that is with no cut outs or punch
outs in the design (like the first designs of the NYC Subway tokens
with Y cut out);
4)
all tokens are lightly magnetic EXCEPT
NYC630BK ( M
/ 75 / TBTA ) and NY630BAa ( M
/ 100 ).
Tokens illustrated below are shown larger than actual size
(unless otherwise noted) for detail but are scaled the same for size
comparison.
Token
types known are thus:
First Issue - "the Wheel"
issued
1976 - April 18, 1982
Atwood
Coffee
number |
obverse
printing |
reverse
printing |
issue
date |
size
(diameter)
weight (g) 1 |
material |
edge |
notes |
obverse |
reverse |
| NY630AU |
M
50
TBTA |
M
50
TBTA |
June
1976 |
25mm
6.2 g |
brass
plated
red brass? |
reeded |
thin
border rim,
3.5mm TBTA
Roger Williams Mint
for use at Cross Bay, Marine Parkway and Henry Hudson Bridges
|
|
same as obverse |
| NY630AV |
M
75
TBTA |
M
75
TBTA |
June
1976 |
26mm
6.8 g |
copper
plated |
reeded |
thin
border rim,
3.5mm TBTA
Roger Williams Mint
for use at Triborough, Bronx Whitestone, Throgs Neck Bridges and
Brooklyn Battery, Queens Midtown Tunnels. |
 |
same as obverse |
| NY630AW |
M
100
TBTA |
M
100
TBTA |
June
1976 |
27mm
8.2 g |
white
metal
plated |
reeded |
thin
border rim,
4mm TBTA
Roger Williams Mint
for use at Verrazano Narrows Bridge. |
|
same as obverse |
| NY630AZ
v1 |
M
75
TBTA |
M
75
TBTA |
1979 |
29mm
9.0 g |
copper
plated |
reeded |
thick
border rim,
4mm TBTA |
|
same as obverse |
| NY630AZ
v2 |
M
75
TBTA |
M
75
TBTA |
1979 |
29mm
8.7 g |
copper
plated |
reeded |
thick
border rim,
thick M
3.5mm TBTA |
 |
same as obverse |
| NY630BK |
M
75
TBTA |
M
75
TBTA |
ca.
1976 |
26mm
8.3 g |
brass |
reeded |
thin
border rim,
4mm TBTA
non-magnetic |
 |
same as obverse |
An
example of NY630AU in my collection, as well as others seen; appears to
be copper or red brass, as it is reddish brown in color and not yellow
as brass tokens in this issue are.
It is postulated, that the different sized tokens
for each
denomination were designed in this manner for automatic sorting, by
passing through progressively larger sorting screens. This
aided
in the use of automatic sorting and rolling machines. The smallest
token (50) would drop first, followed by the next largest, the 75; and
finally the 100.
Most of the TBTA tokens above are commonly seen in
heavily
circulated conditions and are available for purchase via online auction
or websites.Minimally
circulatedtoken carry a premium.
Unless
gold plated, stamped Tiffany & Co and made into cuff links (I'm
being facetious), you should not expect to nor should you pay more than
a few dollars for each, price commensurate on condition.
Second Issue - "the Big M"
8/23/1980
- ?
The second issue of TBTA tokens, of which only one
denomination
is known, the dollar (100). The Atwood Coffee catalog lists an issue
date of 1980, and fortunately, the New York Times mentions the release:
While not
stated in the article, this token issue features a new design.
On the obverse: the TBTA seal (bridge over tunnel over TBTA letters):
and a large M
over the large denomination 100 on the reverse,
hence the nickname: the "Big M".
It
is also with this series that a striped overprinting has first been
witnessed, but which is not listed in the Atwood-Coffee Catalog. The
method used in application of the stripes is currently unknown: solvent
based spray, anodized or electrostatically applied and heat cured
powdercoat? Due to the thin light coating of the stripes, I lean
towards a solvent based application for this issue, but this is
unconfirmed.
An
interesting discovery is that the issue with black stripes is
significantly more magnetic than other tokens from other issues; and
the regular issue token (without stripes) of this
issue which
is not magnetic at all.
By significantly
more magnetic, I mean it really grabs my magnetic screwdriver, whereas
the other slightly magnetic issues only lightly attract the tip of the
screwdriver. And the pull exerted on my magnet increases the closer it
comes to the stripes, as opposed to being a uniform pull around the
entire token.
It is without any doubt, those stripes themselves
have magnetic properties.
| Atwood
Coffee number |
obverse
printing |
reverse
printing |
issue
date |
size
(diameter)
weight (g) |
material |
edge |
overprint |
notes |
obverse |
reverse |
| NY630BAa |
TBTA
seal |
M
100 |
August
23, 1980
|
29mm
8.6 g |
brass |
reeded |
no |
regular issue
non-magnetic |
|
|
NY630BAb
(unlisted) |
TBTA
seal |
M
100 |
1983? |
29mm
8.6 g |
brass
|
reeded |
yes |
two
parallel 4 mm black stripes
on reverse only
stripes significantly magnetic
(Staten Island resident or anti-counterfeiting?) |
 |
 |
.
However
a New York Times article dated August 17, 1984;"Plague of
Pesos Afflicts Token Machines in City" which publicized the
disparaging use of slugs and counterfeits in New York City's token
machines:
"The
Mexican peso, a coin worth half a cent, has become a $132,000-a-year
problem for the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. The toll
machines on the authority's bridges cannot distinguish between the
$1.50 tokens they collect and the silver-colored peso. The use of pesos
started soon after a new token was introduced with a fare increase in
April 1982, authority officials said. Now, about 7,300 pesos are
collected from fare machines each month - the equivalent of $11,000 a
month in tolls. In an effort to combat the pesos, the authority plans
to spend at least $11,600 a month to lease machines designed to
distinguish its tokens from slugs, counterfeits and foreign coins."
"The
peso, for example, is made from nickel and a sliver of silver, while
the authority's tokens are solid brass."
This
article creates a question however: no tokens are known to be
marked $1.50. Unless the issue with two black stripes is the $1.50
issue? The unabridged article may be read here (pages A1 and B2): New
York Time Digital Archives
It is also possible that the token with two stripes was
created
and used to differentiate between regular issue tokens and those that
could be purchased by only by Staten Island residents.
As can be read in the June 23, 1983 issue of the New
York
Times; New York Governor Mario Cuomo signed legislation the
previous day granting residents of Staten Island a 25 cent discount on
their toll on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. This discount was because
they had to pay tolls to enter the borough from either New Jersey or
Brooklyn, so those residents that worked out of Staten
Island, carried an additional financial burden in residing in
Staten Island. This legislation and discounted token offered them some
minor financial relief, and was only available to those residing in
Staten Island. The New York Times article mentions a
sticker that
had to be applied to their vehicle that entitled them to purchase a
pack of 20 special $1 tokens:
"Governor
Cuomo today signed legislation giving Staten Islanders a special
25-cent discount on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge toll...
Under
the law, residents of Staten Island may get stickers on their cars that
will entitle them to buy packages of 20 special $1 tokens. The program
is expected to begin by fall. The regular fare in each direction is
$1.25."
The full article can be read here (pages A1 and
B6): New
York Times Digital Archives. And fortunately, we have an
image of that sticker:
It
is believed but unconfirmed; that the striped variety of tokens are
those special tokens, so the question now remains: whether the striped
magnetic token was for differentiating between regular and Staten
Island Resident issues or it was an anti-counterfeiting measure?
I did inquire of this in my initial email to Ms.
Hankins,
who in turn passed along the inquiry to both the present and the
retired Directors of Revenue Operations with their responses (and my
comments in parenthesis):
“The
tokens were brass tokens with metallic stripes which were used to
prevent counterfeiting of tokens. The exterior of the tokens were
copper plated, but sometimes the copper plate wore off and exposed the
stripes.
(They
were not copper plated - none of the M100
tokens have ever shown evidence or remains of copper plating. I
personally think he may be referring the later issue of tokens with
silver stripes as seen in the next series. PMG)
"The
retired Director of Revenue Operations also thinks, but is not quite
certain, the black stripes occurred on the M100 token from
metal oxidation which caused that type of steel to turn black."
With this; we have unanswered
questions pertaining to this issue that remain to be answered.
In terms of collectability, both the regular issue and the striped
variety of this issue are seldom seen, with the striped token being far
more rare. The regular issue in average circulated issue is worth
$5-10, and the striped issue $15 or more.
Third Issue - "the List"
1982
- February 3, 1998
The third issue tokens removed the numerical denomination
from
the reverse of the token and replaced it with a list of crossings that
that token could be used at. There are two sizes: 25mm for the Minor
Crossings (Marine, Henry Hudson, Cross Bay) and 29mm for the Major
Crossings:(Triborough,
Bronx Whitestone, Verrazano Narrows, Brooklyn Battery, Queens Midtown,
Throgs Neck).
Removing the denomination from the token makes
logical
sense as by this time, the tolls were now being raised on a frequent
basis. By removing the denomination, the same token could be sold,
regardless of the toll fare in the future, in similar concept
to
the present US Postal Service "Forever" stamp. Postage can be raised,
but the USPS will not have to print new stamps with a different
denomination on them, thereby saving money.
And, by having two sizes; the TBTA could
accommodate the
cost differential between tokens of the major crossings (Triborough
Bridge, Bronx Whitestone Bridge, Verrazano Narrows Bridge,
Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Queens Midtown Tunnel, Throgs Neck Bridge),
and those of the minor crossings (Marine Parkway Bridge, Henry Hudson
Parkway Bridge and the Cross Bay Boulevard Bridge) which cost
a
lower fare.
The obverse retains the TBTA seal. The large
"Major
Crossing" issue is now confirmed to have been struck by Roger Williams
Mint. It is believed the smaller "Minor Crossing" issue was also, but
this is unconfirmed.
White
Metal Stripe
We also see a
variety of these tokens with a stripe, this time a single 5 millimeter
white metal stripe.
While at first, I thought the stripe was applied
over the
copper plate, and was to denote Rockaway and Staten Island Resident
issues.
But that "freak" token I have, got me thinking.
The Atwood Coffee defines this issue as copper plated. I would conclude
the underlying token material is brass with copper plating, and the
brass is showing through as a result of wear. Nothing surprising there,
but:
a) Note how the white metal stripe is almost completely worn
off
from the sunken areas of the obverse (TBTA seal / copper
plated
side) with remnants of the stripe on the raised rim and letters.
Thinking logically would reflect that the stripe would be better
protected in thesunken areas and would remain, with the raised areas
more prone to rubbing & wear. Yet the opposite has happened.
b) In contrast to this, the stripe is sharp and
defined on
the reverse (list of crossings / brass) side in both raisedand sunken
areas.
c) Logic would also dictate the plating on both
sides be
evenly wear to almost the same degree. It would also be logical to
conclude that if the copper plating wore off, so would have the white
metal stripe. Does the white metal stripe adhere better to brass than
copper?
  |
NY630BD -
copper obverse and brass reverse?
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
So
this got me thinking - what if the white stripe was under the
copper, and it was the copper plating itself that was wearing off?
After finally coming to terms with myself in sacrificing a spare
NY630BC (Minor Crossings) token, I conducted a little
experiment.
Following online instructions for
removing copper
plate with simple household chemicals, I commenced in doing so: one
part 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, two parts White Vinegar (Acetic Acid). After
15 minutes the solution started to very lightly form bubbles on the
token. After an hour, the solution took on a light blue tint and the
copper plate began to dissolve revealing the white metal stripe and the
brass token:
| prior to soaking in solution |
|
after 15 minutes in one part
3% Hydrogen Peroxide /
two parts White Vinegar - bubbles! |
 |
 |
. |
|
.
. |
|
|
|
|
| after
6 hours (and one change of solution) |
|
after
16 hours (and two more changes of solution) |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
I
changed the solution three times over 16 hours. The end result is clear
and revealed that the white metal stripe is embedded into the brass
stock, and not applied over the copper plate as I originally thought!
Therefore
a strip of white metal is believed to have been inlaid at the time of
rolling the brass stock, and prior to die punching the blank planchets.
When I run my finger over the token, I can even
feel a
joint or transition between the white metal and the brass, where the
white metal stripe is higher than the brass. Breaking out my trusty
Herter micrometer (pre-WWII Germany), the thickness of the token at the
rim is .069", while the overall thickness on the white metal strip at
the rim is .072". This means that the combined thickness of the white
metal strip is .003" inches thicker than the token. This equates to
.0015" higher per side.
And the copper plating? Just 5 ten thousandths of
an inch
at its thinnest (on top of the white metal stripe). This explains why
the token wears through first at the stripe on the rim and why the
stripe appears before the copper plate is worn off.
all
dimensions taken at rim of Minor Crossings NY630BC token
rendering: � 2020 P. M.
Goldstein
As
for the composition of the white metal, it appears to be a lightly
magnetic stainless steel (ferritic, not austenitic), and as it did not
etch and remained polished with a high luster throughout the duration
of the acid bath.
So my initial conclusions previously published
here were incorrect: a) the stripe was not
applied over the copper plate, and therefore b) the stripe could NOT
used to identify discount Resident issues, as it would be hidden under
the copper plate. Therefore, it is simply an anti-counterfeiting device.
And yes; while this is all highly technical for
just the
average collector, this experiment bears out that the white metal
stripe variety of tokens aren't a variety at all, just a more worn
example of the tokens.
If one watches the online auction listings closely, you will
note many tokens have the the metallic stripe in varying degrees of
visibility. This
is all due to handling. As the copper plating wore off, more and more
of the white metal stripe showing through and visible, (and not the
other way around with the stripe wearing off).
Remember, a lot of these tokens were used in
automated
toll booths with catch baskets; so regular use of said token included
being roughly handled, not to mention the TBTA's automated counting and
rolling machines.
This experiment also explains the existence of
that half
copper / half brass token in my collection. However it occurred, the
copper plate was removed from one side of the token revealing the white
metal stripe and the brass.
As a result of this experiment, we can now
conclude that
all the "List" tokens have that white metal stripe embedded, therefore
eliminating the need for a variety listing in Atwood Coffee or here.
Therefore, I have removed the stripe variety NY630BCb and NYC630BDb
from the table below.
Atwood
Coffee
number |
obverse
printing |
reverse
printing |
issue
date |
size
(diameter)
weight (g) |
material |
edge |
overprint |
notes |
obverse |
reverse |
| NY
630 BC |
TBTA
seal |
MARINE
HENRY HUDSON
CROSS BAY
M |
1982 |
25mm
6.3 g |
copper
plated |
reeded |
no |
minor
crossing
regular issue
|
 |
 |
| NY
630 BD |
TBTA
seal |
TRIBOROUGH
BRONX WHITESTONE
VERRAZANO
NARROWS
BROOKLYN BATTERY
QUEENS MIDTOWN
THROGS NECK
M |
1982 |
29mm
8.2 g |
copper
plated |
reeded |
no |
major
crossing
regular issue
minted by Roger Williams
qty minted: 7,500,000 |
 |
 |
Fourth Issue - "the
Residents"
1994
- 2015 (?)
As stated, the
fourth issue of tokens is believed to have
been minted to replace the striped tokens, but to have been used along
side the general issues tokens of the Third Issue.
The TBTA issued this series of tokens in 1994,
which are
now specially minted in relief (raised) markings on the reverse:
ROCKAWAY RESIDENT M around the circumference of the rim, with CROSSBAY
AND MARINE PARKWAY in the center, or STATEN ISLAND
RESIDENT M around the circumference of the rim, and
VERRAZANO
NARROWS BRIDGE in the center. The obverse still carries the TBTA Seal
in relief.
As for cataloging, these two token issues are now
listed
in the borough specific listings of the Atwood Coffee: Queens - NY631
Queens and Staten Island - NY632, as opposed to all the previous types
all listed under New York City - NY630.
It is also known that the Rockaway Resident tokens
could
only be purchased at Cross Bay Bridge and Marine Parkway Bridge toll
booths; likewise the Staten Island Resident tokens only available at
the Verrazano Narrows Bridge toll booths and could only be
purchased by those residents with the proper pass or sticker
in
the car window.
After my initial email, I received a reply from
Gibson
Olpp; marketing manager for Osborne Coin (successor to Roger Williams
Mint).
Made
in 1993 for Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority Tokens
5,254,000
- 1.095” Staten Island Token
4,246,300
- 0.895” Rockaway Resident Token
That is as far back as the
records go.
So, a little more information never hurts.
But, as with most research; one
question answered finds one more needs to be asked: Roger Williams Mint
lists manufacturing size in SAE (inches) - Atwood Coffee has them in
millimeters.
From what I am able to gather by reviewing the
toll
schedules, and following confirmation from Ms. Hankins; the
"Resident" tokens were sold and accepted long after the regular issue
"List" token were removed from circulation. I, in error; had been under
the conclusion all token sales ceased February 3, 1998;, but again, I
was incorrect.
The resident tokens remained for sale to said
residents
because of the specific language as stated in the New York State
statute, which provided those residents of Staten Island and Rockaway a
discounted token. After the physical tokens stopped being accepted in
2017, said residents were eligible for "e-Tokens" as so called in the
schedules. As they are still called "tokens", the letter of the law is
upheld.
These last two token issues were finally withdrawn from use;
first at Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridges on April 30, 2017; and by
September 30, 2017 at the Verrazano Narrows Bridge.
| Atwood
Coffee number |
obverse printing |
reverse
printing |
issue date |
size (diameter)
weight (g) |
material |
edge |
overprint |
notes |
obverse |
reverse |
| NY
631 Y |
TBTA seal |
ROCKAWAY
RESIDENT M
CROSSBAY
AND MARINE PARKWAY BRIDGES |
1994 |
0.895"
(23mm +/-)
6.0 g
|
brass plated |
reeded |
no |
minor crossing
minted by: Roger Williams
qty minted:
4,246,300 |
 |
 |
| NY 632 D |
TBTA seal |
STATEN
ISLAND RESIDENT M
VERRAZANO NARROWS BRIDGE |
11/1993 |
1.095"
(28mm +/-)
8.9 g |
brass plated |
smooth |
no |
major
crossing
minted by Roger Williams
qty
minted: 5,254,000 |
 |
 |
Footnotes: weights by author via OHaus
triple beam Series 700
In regards to collectability, the
Resident Tokens are more
readily seen in much better conditions than that of their previous
issue counterparts, as they only issued for approximately 4 years and
despite having been circulated for 13 years. However they are a little
scarcer in my opinion. Higher grade examples should not cost you more
than $10 each.
Triborough
Bridge 50th Anniversary Commemorative Issue
While
not a true fiscal issue used for paying a toll,
George S. Cuhaj offered the following item for inclusion into the topic.
It is a Commemorative Medallion issued for the
50th
Anniversary of the Triborough Bridge. Its dimensions are identical with
that of the toll issues, but this token is gilt plated (gold). From
references it was only issued to employees of the Triborough Bridge
& Tunnel Authority. It was issued in the plastic protective
case
with spacer ring just as you see..
Triborough
Bridge 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medallion - 1986
gilt
plated, in protective case, issued to employees
Roger Williams Mint
(quantity minted unknown, but under 10,000)
collection of
George S. Cuhaj
The End of the Line for
the Tokens
Testing
of the E-ZPass RFID toll collection system by the Triborough Bridge
& Tunnel Authority began in 1991, as seen in the Staten Island
Advance article dated February 26, 1991.
In just seven short years, as seen in the New York
Times,
token sales ended on February 3, 1998 with the widespread use of
E-ZPass (radio frequency transmitter tag) being instituted. The
transcribed article reads as follows:
 |
The bridge and tunnel token is one
step closer to becoming a collector's item.
In
the latest nod to the ubiquity of the E-Z Pass, the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority on Sunday stopped selling tokens at six of its
nine tunnels and bridges in New York City.
The
move was not exactly a surprise. Last year, the M.T.A. stopped selling
the tokens in bulk at those six crossings -- leaving the $7 round-trip
transaction as the only one for which motorists could buy tokens. Four
months ago, the authority removed its tokens-only baskets from its
tollbooths. And last month, the authority reported that only 2 percent
of the estimated 730,000 vehicles that crossed its bridges and tunnels
daily used tokens.
Now,
anyone who wants to buy a token can do so only at three crossings: on
the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, where the toll is collected in only one
direction, Staten Island residents -- and no one else -- can buy a
package of tokens worth 5 or 10 round-trips. Token packages will also
be sold for the Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridges, in the Rockaways,
which are less expensive than the other crossings and use a
smaller-sized token.
Those
who still have tokens can still use them at any of the crossings. Frank
Pascual, a spokesman for M.T.A. Bridges and Tunnels, said, ''We'll take
them as long as you have them.'
The
authority introduced the E-Z Pass in 1995, saying that it would shave
precious minutes off rush-hour commuting time and eliminate the hassle
of having to fumble for coins and bills to pay the toll.
The
small E-Z Pass transponders are mounted on windshields and are read
electronically at toll gates that automatically deduct the fares from
customers' accounts.
Despite
some initial missteps, the E-Z Pass proved to be wildly popular. In
1997, the M.T.A. projected that 170,000 transponders would be installed
by year's end. The actual figure turned out to be 1.2 million, Mr.
Pascual said.
|
Reading
the article a little more carefully, I have realized that token sales
stopped at 6 of 9 crossings, but remained on sale for Staten Island
Residents (Verrazano Narrows Bridge) as well as the Rockaway Residents
(Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridges).
These tokens are shown for sale as late as
the 2015 toll schedule in the pdf
file.
The exact date of when sales of these tokens ceased is not yet known.
It is therefore not known if sales stopped at the cessation of
acceptance at the dates below or some time before.
Eventually, acceptance of the remaining tokens was phased out
and
ceased as well. This took place on two separate dates, those being:
first at Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridges on April 30,
2017; and by
September 30, 2017 at the Verrazano Narrows Bridge.
All toll booths at all crossings have since been
removed,
and toll collection automated to E-ZPass and Tolls By Mail. The full
service / receipts / toll collectors are gone. The exact change lanes
with their white plastic catch baskets and moving arms are
gone.
Have no fear! Those people that still hold tokens can
exchange
tokens (but why would you?!?!) through a token refund kit from MTA
Bridges & Tunnels.
On October 1, 2019; I actually called
the phone number
on the MTA Bridges & Tunnels website for the token refund kit.
The
nice lady who answered the telephone took my information and asked how
many tokens I would be sending in. I told her none, and there was a
pregnant pause on the line. I then explained I was a TBTA toll token
collector and only wanted the refund kit as part of my token
collection. She was quite amused and said that I was the first one that
she ever knew to ever do that!
 |
 |
MTA Bridges & Tunnels -
Token Refund Kit
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
Undoubtedly, the most
"disposable" of the memorabilia: the toll
receipt. And perhaps the rarest? Scrip & tokens might have been
saved because of intrinsic value, but receipts?
If I could tell you how many were thrown away, and
how
many I found under the seat of my grandfathers car.
I will not hide the fact that I had an affection
for
traveling, beginning as a young child. And encouraging
this, my
father would ask for maps, receipts and other goodies at every toll
booth during trips; whether it was just across the bridge or down to
Florida. I had a pile of them in a box under the seat of the family
van. Verrazano, Goethals, New Jersey Turnpike, Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Tunnel, you name it. All the way down the East Coast from Brooklyn, New
York to Miami Beach, Florida, where my grandparents lived; and New York
State Thruway, Southern State Parkway, Palisades Parkway, Garden State
Parkway, and the New Jersey Turnpike.
But, like the proverbial box of baseball cards or
comic
books, they were disposed of during a cleaning session at some point.
Mine are probably all decayed under the Fountain Avenue landfill by
now. But I have managed to accumulate a few since then.
| Systemwide "Generic"
Receipts - Form 0-10 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
July 5,
1971
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
October
9, 1974 - 5:05 PM
Triborough Bridge - Manhattan span
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
November
13, 1969 (incorrect)
$20.00 token sale @
Verrazano Narrows Bridge - 7:42 AM
TBTA
did not offer tokens until 1976, and packaged in those amounts:
twenty .50 for $10, twenty .75 for $15.00 or twenty 1.00 for $20.00.
Therefore I postulate the receipt was issued
between June 1976 and 1980,
date of the first toll increase after those first token packs were
offered.
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
October
2, 1979? ? 7:53 AM
$20.00
token sale @
Verrazano Narrows Bridge
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
October
18, 1985 - $26.00 roll of tokens sale
@ Bronx Whitestone Bridge - 9:31 AM
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
ca.
1989 - $2.00
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
|
| Triborough Bridge |
 |
 |
 |
|
TRIBOROUGH
BRIDGE
April 6, 1974
.50
(bold
round font, unbleached paper)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
Class
1 - .50
TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE
April
13, 1974 - 11:0 ..
(tall oval font - unbleached
paper)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
Class
1 - .50
TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE
April
20, 1974 - 17:02
(tall oval font - bleached paper)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
.
.
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
December
13, 1979
.75
Triborough Bridge
(bold round font, V1)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
Class
1 - .75
TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE
January 16, ? ? - 8:39
(thin
oval font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
Class
1 - .75
TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE
PREPAID □
March 21 1979
- 12:03
(tall squared font - small year)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
Class
1 - .75
TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE
PREPAID □
September 4, 1979
- 14:58
(tall squared font - large year)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
July 17,
1980 1.00
TOLL PAID
(bold
round font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
Class
1 - 1.00
TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE
PREPAID □
TM (Manhattan)
July 28, ? ? - 7:03 AM
(thin rounded font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
Class
1 - 1.00
TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE
PREPAID □
TM (Manhattan)
September 12, ? ? - 8:51 A
(tall oval font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
Class
1 -
1.00 TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE
PREPAID □
TM (Manhattan)
September 12, ? ? - 2:25 PM
(short oval font )
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
APR
25 '81
TRI-BORO BRIDGE
BRONX
TOLL PAID $1.00
(M logo)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Class
1 - 1.25
TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE
PREPAID □
TM
(Manhattan)
July 11 1982 8:55 AM
(thin rounded font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
Class
1 - 1.25
TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE
PREPAID □
TM
(Manhattan)
October 11, 1982 12:50 PM
(tall oval font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
Class
1 - 1.25
TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE
PREPAID □
TX (Bronx)
October 11, 1982 12:50 PM
(tall oval font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
OCT
06 '82
TRI-BORO BRIDGE
MANHATTAN
TOLL PAID $1.25
(M logo)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Class
1 - 1.50
TRIBOROUGH
BRIDGE
PREPAID □
TM
(Manhattan)
October 11, 1982 12:50 PM
(thin
rounded font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
Class
1 - 1.50
TRIBOROUGH
BRIDGE
PREPAID □
TM
(Manhattan)
October 14, 1984 8:39 AM
(tall oval font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
Class
4 - 3.00
TRIBOROUGH
BRIDGE
PREPAID □
TM
(Manhattan)
June 1, 1984 7:12 PM
(thin
rounded font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
Token
(roll) - 26.00
TRIBOROUGH
BRIDGE
PREPAID □
TM
(Manhattan)
August 13, 1985 10:21 AM
(tall oval font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
April 24,
1985
TRI-BORO BRIDGE
MANHATTAN
TOLL PAID $1.50 (M logo)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
October
25, 1986
TRI-BORO BRIDGE
MANHATTAN
TOLL PAID
$1.75 (M logo)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
RECEIPT
(TBTA LOGO) 5/26/91
14:47 PM TBB
Class 1 $2.50
(pre-printed logo
& grid, dot matrix data, black ink)
collection of author -
P. M. Goldstein |
|
|
.
.
|
| Bronx Whitestone Bridge |
 |
 |
|
WHITESTONE
BRIDGE
July 22, 1974 -
1:40 PM .50
TOLL PAID
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
WHITESTONE
BRIDGE
August 23, 1976 -
7:58 PM .75
TOLL PAID
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
|
 |
 |
WHITESTONE BRIDGE
August 5, 1978 - 9:38 PM .75
PREPAID TICKET □
TOLL PAID
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
July 15, 1979 - 5:42 PM
PAID TOLL .75
BRONX WHITESTONE
unusual numbered cardstock receipt
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
 |
 |
May
09, 1981
WHITESTONE BRIDGE
PREPAID
TICKET □
TOLL PAID 1.00
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
May 09, 1981
WHITESTONE BRIDGE
TOLL PAID 1.00 (M logo)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
 |
 |
 |
WHITESTONE
BRIDGE
May 12, 1984 - 9:53 PM - 1.50
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
WHITESTONE
BRIDGE
TOLL PAID (M logo)
April 7, 1984 - 1.50
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
WHITESTONE BRIDGE
TOLL PAID (M logo)
April 15, 1986 - 1.75
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
| Throgs Neck Bridge |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Class 1 -
.50
THROGS
NECK
BRIDGE
74 JUN
24 - 19:53
(small
oval font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
THROGS
NECK
BRIDGE
August 23, 1976 .75
(bold round font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
Class 1 -
.75
TH. NECK
BRIDGE PREPAID □
79 JUN 2 - 15:59
(tall squared font)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
SEP 01 '82
THROGS
NECK
BRIDGE
TOLL
PAID $1.25 (M
logo)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
| Verrazano Narrows Bridge |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
NARROWS
BRIDGE
April 6, 1974
.75
TOLL PAID
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
Class 1 - .75
VERRAZANO
NARROWS
BRIDGE
August 8, 1974 22:39
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
|
|
 |  |  | Class 1 - $1.00
VERRAZANO
NARROWS
BRIDGE
77 FEB 4 - 23:43
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein | NARROWS
BRIDGE
DEC -5, 79 $1.00
TOLL PAID
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein | Class 1 -
$1.00
NARROWS
BRIDGE
PREPAID □
79
NOV 25 - 20:24
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
| | | | |
|
 |
 |
|
|
Class 1 -
$1.25
NARROWS
BRIDGE
PREPAID □
82
MAY 21 22:12
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
DEC 18 '83
VERRAZANO
NAR.
BRIDGE
TOLL
PAID $1.25 (M
logo)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
MAY 9, '84
VERRAZANO
NAR.
BRIDGE
TOLL
PAID $1.50 (M
logo)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
RECEIPT
(TBTA LOGO) 5/17/85 15:18
PM VN Class
1 $1.50
(pre-printed logo
& grid, dot matrix data, black ink)
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
MAR 8 '86
VERRAZANO
NAR.
BRIDGE
TOLL
PAID $1.75 (M
logo)
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein
|
|
|
 |
|
|
MTA Bridges and Tunnels
10/12/95 / 08:15 AM
/ VNB / Class 1 / $6.00
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
|
|
| Queens Midtown Tunnel |
| |
|
Class 1 - .75 -
QUEENS
MIDTOWN
TUNNEL
76 APR 14 - 21:45
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein
|
QUEENS MIDTOWN TUNNEL
81 AP 25 P 4:25 1.00
PREPAID
TICKET □
TOLL PAID
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
QUEENS
MIDTOWN
TUNNEL
1983 JN-3 10:17 AM 1.50
PREPAID
TICKET □
TOLL PAID
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
QUEENS
MIDTOWN
TUNNEL 2.00
(1987)
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
|
 |
 |
RECEIPT
(TBTA LOGO) 9/16/92 /
17:59 / QMT /
Class 1 / $2.50
(pre-printed logo
& grid, dot matrix data, black ink)
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
QUEENS
MID TUNNEL
9/16/92 06:55 $2.50
(all dot matrix
printer, purple ink)
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
|
| Brooklyn Battery Tunnel |
 |
 |
RECEIPT
(TBTA LOGO) 5/17/94 /
17:59 / BBT /
Class 1 / $3.00
(pre-printed logo
& grid, dot matrix data, black ink)
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein
|
BKLYN
BATTERY TUNNEL
2/20/96 12:03
- $3.00
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
|
| Cross Bay - Veterans Memorial
Bridge |
 |
 |
 |
Class 1 - .25
CROSSBAY
PARKWAY
BRIDGE
74 APRIL 29 12:21
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein
|
CROSSBAY
BRIDGE
OCT 18 75 - .50
TOLL PAID
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
Class
1 - .50
CROSSBAY
PARKWAY
BRIDGE
79 AUG 8 22:27
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
| | | |  |  | | | Class
1 - 1.00
CROSS BAY
BRIDGE
PREPAID
TICKET □
86
MAY 3 00:02
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein | MAY 02 '86
CROSSBAY
BRIDGE
TOLL PAID $1.00 M
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein | | |
|
| Marine Parkway Bridge |
 |  |
 |  |
Class 1 - .25
MARINE
PARKWAY
BRIDGE
74 SEPTEMBER 30 - 10:45
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein | |
| Class 1 - .50
MARINE
BRIDGE
PREPAID □
79 MARCH 19 - 16:30
collection
of Philip M. Goldstein |
.
. |
 |
 |
 |
MARINE
PARK BRIDGE
5/10/95 10:24
Marine
Parkway Bridge - $1.50
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
MARINE
PARK BRIDGE
6/23/95 20:21
Marine
Parkway Bridge - $10.00
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
RECEIPT
(TBTA LOGO) 5/12/95 /
21:32 / MPB /
Class 1 / $1.50
(pre-printed logo
& grid, dot matrix data, black ink)
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
|
| Henry Hudson Bridge |
 |
|
 |
HENRY
HUDSON
.50 JUL 15 79
TOLL PAID
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
|
HENRY
HUDSON
79 JL 12 2:46 PM .50
PREPAID
TICKET □
TOLL
PAID
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein
|
|
 |
 |
HENRY
HUDSON
81 AP 3 11:14 AM .60
PREPAID
TICKET □
TOLL
PAID
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
HENRY
HUDSON
PARKWAY
TOLL PAID $.90 (M
logo)
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein |
Internal Documents
& Reference Materials
 |
Marine Parkway
Authority - 1937
collection
of MTA Archives |
.
. |
|
 |
|
New York City Tunnel
Authority - ca. 1940
MTA Bridges &
Tunnels Archives |
|
|
|
 |
 |
New York City Tunnel
Authority - 1942
Toll Scrip
accounting from November 1940 (opening of Queen Midtown Tunnel) to
March 1942
MTA Bridges &
Tunnels Archives |
New York City Tunnel
Authority - ca. 1942
Toll Schedule,
Scrip Issues and Wartime Scrip Book Plan
MTA Bridges &
Tunnels Archives |
|
|
 |
 |
Triborough Bridge and
Tunnel Authority - ca. 1966
Toll Book Order Form - Form A-111
MTA
Bridges & Tunnels Archives
|
Triborough Bridge and
Tunnel Authority - ca. 1973
Toll Book Order Form - Form A-111
MTA Bridges &
Tunnels Archives
|
|
|
 |
Triborough Bridge and
Tunnel Authority - June 13, 1973
Memorandum, re: Special Ticket
overprinting
MTA Bridges &
Tunnels Archives |
|
|
 |
|
New York Post from Triborough Bridge and
Tunnel Authority - May 19, 1980
Notice of Toll Increase - quarter page insert
MTA Bridges &
Tunnels Archives |
Triborough Bridge and
Tunnel Authority - April 19, 1982
Toll Book Order Form for Commercial
Vehicles, handout at toll books
MTA Bridges &
Tunnels Archives |
|
|
 |
 |
Triborough Bridge and
Tunnel Authority - April 20, 1983
Toll Book Order Form - Form A-111
MTA Bridges &
Tunnels Archives |
Triborough Bridge and
Tunnel Authority - undated
Toll Book Order Form - expedient for
hand out?
MTA Bridges &
Tunnels Archives |
|
|
 |
 |
Triborough Bridge and
Tunnel Authority - undated
Toll Book Order Form
MTA Bridges &
Tunnels Archives
|
Triborough Bridge and
Tunnel Authority - rev. 3/1989
Toll Book Order Form
collection of Philip M.
Goldstein
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Triborough Bridge and
Tunnel Authority - June 19, 1986
Memorandum, re: old barcode scrip, new
barcode scrip sizes, colors denominations
MTA Bridges &
Tunnels Archives |
Triborough Bridge and
Tunnel Authority - December 8, 1986
Intra-governmental order form for Toll
Books
MTA Bridges &
Tunnels Archives |
Historical & Current Toll Fares for
the TBTA
All vehicle classes are listed for crossing
opening; for subsequent toll hikes, only passenger autos are listed.
See .pdf
file for tolls for additional vehicle classes, Staten Island
& Rockaway Resident, Carpool, E-ZPass and E-token toll discount
amounts.
Notes:
franchise buses were only allowed on bridges, not tunnels
cars with semi-trailer = trailer with one axle (total three axles)
cars with trailer = trailer with two axles (total four axles)
what I refer to as cars are listed as passenger automobiles
Major Crossings:
Triborough Bridge
1936
|
Bronx-Whitestone
Bridge
1939
|
Queens
Midtown Tunnel
1940
|
| class |
vehicle |
toll |
| 1 |
passenger
autos, all types taxicab,
ambulances, hearses, horsedrawn vehicles |
.25 |
| 2 |
trucks,
2 axle, less than 2 tons |
.25 |
| 3 |
2 axle trucks, 2 - 5 tons |
.35 |
| 4 |
2 axle trucks, more than 5 tons |
.50 |
| 5 |
all buses |
.50 |
| 6 |
3 axle
trucks, tractors, cars w/ semi trailer |
.60 |
| 7 |
4 axle trucks, tractors, cars with trailer |
.75 |
| 8 |
motorcycles |
.15 |
| 9 |
bicycles |
.10 |
|
| class |
vehicle |
toll |
| 1 |
passenger
autos, all types taxicab,
ambulances, hearses, horsedrawn vehicles |
.25 |
| 2 |
2 axle trucks, less than 2 tons |
.25 |
| 3 |
2 axle trucks, 2 - 5 tons |
.35 |
| 4 |
2 axle trucks, more than 5 tons |
.50 |
| 5 |
all buses |
.50 |
| 6 |
3 axle
trucks, tractors,
passenger autos w/ semi trailer |
.60 |
| 7 |
4 axle
trucks, tractors, cars with trailer |
.75 |
| 8 |
motorcycles |
.15 |
| 9 |
bicycles |
.10 |
|
| class |
vehicle |
toll |
| 1 |
passenger
auto, all types taxicabs,
ambulances & hearses |
.25 |
| 2 |
trucks,
2 axle, less than 2 tons |
.25 |
| 3 |
trucks,
2 axle, 2 -5 tons |
.40 |
| 4 |
trucks,
2 axle, over 5 ton |
.60 |
| 5 |
buses
(2 & 3 axle) |
.50 |
| 6 |
trucks,
three axle trucks, tractors or
passenger autos w/ semi trailer |
.75 |
| 7 |
4 axle trucks, tractors or passenger auto w/
trailer |
$1.00 |
| 8 |
special classification |
tbd |
| 9 |
motorcycles |
.15 |
|
|
|
|
| 1/5/1972 |
.50 |
1/5/1972 |
.50 |
1/5/1972 |
.50 |
| 3/1/1976 |
.75 |
3/1/1976 |
.75 |
3/1/1976 |
.75 |
| 5/19/1980 |
$1.00 |
5/19/1980 |
$1.00 |
5/19/1980 |
$1.00 |
| 4/19/1982 |
$1.25 |
4/19/1982 |
$1.25 |
4/19/1982 |
$1.25 |
| 1/3/1984 |
$1.50 |
1/3/1984 |
$1.50 |
1/3/1984 |
$1.50 |
| 1/1/1986 |
$1.75 |
1/1/1986 |
$1.75 |
1/1/1986 |
$1.75 |
| 2/7/1987 |
$2.00 |
2/7/1987 |
$2.00 |
2/7/1987 |
$2.00 |
| no change |
| 7/16/1989 |
$2.50 |
7/16/1989 |
$2.50 |
7/16/1989 |
$2.50 |
| 1/31/1993 |
$3.00 |
1/31/1993 |
$3.00 |
1/31/1993 |
$3.00 |
| 3/24/1996 |
$3.50 |
3/24/1996 |
$3.50 |
3/24/1996 |
$3.50 |
| 5/18/2003 |
$4.00 |
5/18/2003 |
$4.00 |
5/18/2003 |
$4.00 |
The
NY State Supreme Court ruled that the 5/18/2003 toll hike was not valid
and ordered the toll rates reverted back to their prior amounts;
however
the actual tolls at the crossing were not reduced due to the appeals
and automatic stay process |
| 6/4/2003 |
$3.50 |
6/4/2003 |
$3.50 |
6/4/2003 |
$3.50 |
| The
NY State Appellate Court overturned the lower courts' ruling and
allowed the TBTA to raise the toll tariffs to the original
5/18/2003 rates. In actuality they were already at that amount. |
| 7/15/2003 |
$4.00 |
7/15/2003 |
$4.00 |
7/15/2003 |
$4.00 |
| 3/15/2005 |
$4.50 |
3/15/2005 |
$4.50 |
3/15/2005 |
$4.50 |
| 3/16/2008 |
$5.00 |
3/16/2008 |
$5.00 |
3/16/2008 |
$5.00 |
| 7/12/2009 |
$5.50 |
7/12/2009 |
$5.50 |
7/12/2009 |
$5.50 |
| 12/30/2010 |
$6.50 |
12/30/2010 |
$6.50 |
12/30/2010 |
$6.50 |
| 3/23/2013 |
$7.50 |
3/23/2013 |
$7.50 |
3/23/2013 |
$7.50 |
| 3/22/2015 |
$8.00 |
3/22/2015 |
$8.00 |
3/22/2015 |
$8.00 |
| 3/9/2017 |
$8.50 |
3/9/2017 |
$8.50 |
3/9/2017 |
$8.50 |
3/19/2019
to present |
$9.50 |
3/19/2019
to present |
$9.50 |
3/19/2019
to present |
$9.50 |
Triborough
Bridge
|
Bronx-Whitestone
Bridge
|
Queens
Midtown Tunnel
|
Brooklyn
Battery Tunnel
1950 |
Throgs
Neck Bridge
1961 |
Verrazano
Narrows Bridge
upper deck: 1964
lower deck: 1969
|
| class |
vehicle |
toll |
|
passenger
autos (proposed)
|
.25 |
| 1 |
passenger
autos, all types, station wagons,
ambulances, hearses (actual upon opening) |
.35 |
| 2 |
trucks,
2 axle, less than 2 tons |
.35 |
| 3 |
2 axle trucks, 2 - 5 tons |
.50 |
| 4 |
2 axle trucks, more than 5 tons |
.75 |
| 5 |
buses
(other than franchise), all 2 axle vehicles transporting more than 10
persons including operator |
.75 |
| 6 |
3 axle
trucks, tractors, non-franchise buses, passenger autos w/ semi trailer |
$1.00 |
| 7 |
4 axle trucks, tractors, non-franchise
buses, or
passenger autos with trailer |
$1.25 |
| 8 |
franchise
buses (bridges only) |
n/a
|
| 9 |
motorcycles |
.25 |
| 0 |
non
revenue vehicles |
0 |
|
toll
rate for vehicles having more than 4 axles, other than oversized
vehicles, each additional axle |
.35 |
|
| class |
vehicle |
toll |
| 1 |
passenger
autos, all types, station wagons,
ambulances, hearses, |
.25 |
| 2 |
trucks,
2 axle, less than 2 tons |
.25 |
| 3 |
2 axle trucks, 2 - 5 tons |
.40 |
| 4 |
2 axle trucks, more than 5 tons |
.60 |
| 5 |
buses
(other than franchise), all 2 axle vehicles transporting more than 10
persons including operator |
.55 |
| 6 |
3 axle
trucks, tractors, non-franchise buses, passenger autos w/ semi trailer |
.75 |
| 7 |
4 axle trucks, tractors, non-franchise
buses, or
passenger autos with trailer |
$1.00 |
| 8 |
franchise
buses (bridges only) |
.25 |
| 9 |
motorcycles |
.10 |
| 0 |
non
revenue vehicles |
0 |
|
toll
rate for vehicles having more than 4 axles, other than oversized
vehicles, each additional axle |
.35 |
|
| class |
vehicle |
toll |
| 1 |
2 axle passenger autos all types, station
wagons,
ambulances, hearses, franchise buses engaged in general transportation,
and
2 axle trucks less than 2 tons |
.50 |
| 2 |
passenger
automobiles w/ semi trailer |
.75 |
| 3 |
2 axle trucks, 2 - 5 tons |
.75 |
| 4 |
2 axle trucks more than 5 tons,
passenger autos with 2 axle trailer |
$1.00 |
| 5 |
2 axle buses (other than buses in 1 above),
and all
2 axle vehicles transporting 10 or more persons including operator |
$1.00 |
| 6 |
3 axle
trucks, tractors, buses, |
$1.25 |
| 7 |
4 axle trucks, tractors, buses, |
$1.50 |
| 8 |
5 axle vehicles |
$2.00 |
| 9 |
motorcycles |
.50 |
| 0 |
non
revenue vehicles |
0 |
|
toll
rate for vehicles having more than 5 axles, other than oversized
vehicles, each additional axle |
.50 |
|
| 1/5/1972 |
.70 |
1/5/1972 |
.50 |
1/5/1972 |
.75 |
| 3/1/1976 |
.75 |
3/1/1976 |
.75 |
3/1/1976 |
$1.00 |
| 5/19/1980 |
$1.00 |
5/19/1980 |
$1.00 |
5/19/1980 |
$1.00 - no increase |
| 4/19/1982 |
$1.25 |
4/19/1982 |
$1.25 |
4/19/1982 |
$1.25 |
| 1/3/1984 |
$1.50 |
1/3/1984 |
$1.50 |
1/3/1984 |
$1.50 |
| 1/1/1986 |
$1.75 |
1/1/1986 |
$1.75 |
1/1/1986 |
$1.75 |
| 2/7/1987 |
$2.00 |
2/7/1987 |
$2.00 |
2/7/1987 |
$2.00 |
|
3/15/1987 |
$4.00 - tolls now doubled
but collected
NY bound only |
| 7/16/1989 |
$2.50 |
7/16/1989 |
$2.50 |
7/16/1989 |
$5.00 |
| 1/31/1993 |
$3.00 |
1/31/1993 |
$3.00 |
1/31/1993 |
$6.00 |
| 3/24/1996 |
$3.50 |
3/24/1996 |
$3.50 |
3/24/1996 |
$7.00 |
| 5/18/2003 |
$4.00 |
5/18/2003 |
$4.00 |
5/18/2003 |
$8.00 |
The
NY State Supreme Court ruled that the 5/18/2003 toll hike was not valid
and ordered the toll rates reverted back to their prior amounts;
however
the actual tolls at the crossing were not reduced due to the appeals
and automatic stay process |
|
| 6/4/2003 |
$3.50 |
6/4/2003 |
$3.50 |
6/4/2003 |
$7.00 |
| The
NY State Appellate Court overturned the lower courts' ruling and
allowed the TBTA to raise the toll tariffs to the original
5/18/2003 rates. In actuality they were already at that amount. |
| 7/15/2003 |
$4.00 |
7/15/2003 |
$4.00 |
7/15/2003 |
$8.00 |
| 3/15/2005 |
$4.50 |
3/15/2005 |
$4.50 |
3/15/2005 |
$9.00 |
| 3/16/2008 |
$5.00 |
3/16/2008 |
$5.00 |
3/16/2008 |
$10.00 |
| 7/12/2009 |
$5.50 |
7/12/2009 |
$5.50 |
7/12/2009 |
$11.00 |
| 12/30/2010 |
$6.50 |
12/30/2010 |
$6.50 |
12/30/2010 |
$13.00 |
| 3/23/2013 |
$7.50 |
3/23/2013 |
$7.50 |
3/23/2013 |
$15.00 |
| 3/22/2015 |
$8.00 |
3/22/2015 |
$8.00 |
3/22/2015 |
$16.00 |
| 3/9/2017 |
$8.50 |
3/9/2017 |
$8.50 |
3/9/2017 |
$17.00 |
3/19/2019
to present |
$9.50 |
3/19/2019
to present |
$9.50 |
3/19/2019
to present |
$19.00
|
Brooklyn
Battery Tunnel
|
Throgs
Neck Bridge
|
Verrazano
Narrows Bridge
|
Minor
Crossings
Henry
Hudson Bridge
1936
|
Marine
Parkway Bridge
7/3/1937
|
Cross Bay Bridge
1939 (rebuilt 1970)
|
| class |
vehicle |
toll |
| 1 |
2 axle passenger autos all types, station
wagons,
ambulances, hearses, franchise buses engaged in general transportation,
and
2 axle trucks less than 2 tons |
.10 |
(Henry Hudson Parkway: cars &
motorcycles only -
no commercial traffic)
|
| 9 |
motorcycles |
.10 |
|
| class |
vehicle |
toll |
|
passenger cars
|
.15* |
|
passenger trailers |
.50 |
|
motorcycles |
.15* |
|
bicycles |
.10 |
|
franchise buses |
.25 |
|
charter buses |
.50 |
|
commercial
vehicles up to 2 tons |
.25 |
|
5 ton trucks
|
.35 |
|
10
ton trucks |
.50 |
|
single axle trailers |
.60 |
|
double
axle trailers |
.75 |
|
| class |
vehicle |
toll |
| 1 |
2 axle passenger autos all types, station
wagons,
ambulances, hearses
|
.10 |
| 2 |
2 axle trucks less than 2 tons |
.10 |
| 3 |
2 axle trucks, 2 - 5 tons |
.25 |
| 4 |
2 axle trucks more than 5 tons,
passenger autos with 2 axle trailer |
.35 |
| 5 |
2 axle buses (other than buses in 1 above),
and all
2 axle vehicles transporting 10 or more persons including operator |
.35 |
| 6 |
3 axle
trucks, tractors, buses, |
.40 |
| 7 |
4 axle trucks, tractors, buses, |
.50 |
| 8 |
franchise buses |
.10 |
| 9 |
motorcycles |
.10 |
|
|
|
1939 |
.10 *Marine Parkway Bridge
reduced .05
upon
Cross Bay Bridge opening |
1939 |
.10 |
|
|
1970 |
.10 |
1970 |
.10 |
| 1/5/1972 |
.25 |
1/5/1972 |
.25 |
1/5/1972 |
.25 |
| 3/1/1976 |
.50 |
3/1/1976 |
.50 |
3/1/1976 |
.50 |
| 6/2/1980 |
.60 |
6/16/1980 |
.75 |
6/16/1980 |
.75 |
| 4/19/1982 |
.90 |
4/19/1982 |
.90 |
4/19/1982 |
.90 |
| 1/3/1984 |
no increase |
1/3/1984 |
no increase |
1/3/1984 |
no increase |
| 2/7/1987 |
$1.00 |
2/7/1987 |
$1.00 |
2/7/1987 |
$1.00 |
| 7/6/1989 |
$1.25 |
7/16/1989 |
$1.25 |
7/16/1989 |
$1.25 |
| 1/31/1993 |
$1.50 |
1/31/1993 |
$1.50 |
1/31/1993 |
$1.50 |
| 3/24/1996 |
$1.75 |
3/24/1996 |
$1.75 |
3/24/1996 |
$1.75 |
| 5/18/2003 |
$2.00 |
5/18/2003 |
$2.00 |
5/18/2003 |
$2.00 |
| 3/15/2005 |
$2.25 |
3/15/2005 |
$2.25 |
3/15/2005 |
2.25 |
| 3/16/2008 |
$2.75 |
3/16/2008 |
$2.50 |
3/16/2008 |
$2.50 |
| 7/12/2009 |
$3.00 |
7/12/2009 |
$2.75 |
7/12/2009 |
2.75 |
| 12/30/2010 |
$4.00 |
12/30/2010 |
$3.25 |
12/30/2010 |
$3.25 |
| 3/3/2013 |
$5.00 |
3/3/2013 |
$3.75 |
3/3/2013 |
$3.75 |
| 3/22/2015 |
$5.50 |
3/22/2015 |
$4.00 |
3/22/2015 |
$4.00 |
| 3/19/2017 |
$6.00 |
3/19/2017 |
$4.25 |
3/19/2017 |
$4.25 |
3/31/2019
to present |
$7.00 |
3/31/2019
to present |
$4.75 |
3/31/2019
to present |
$4.75 |
| Henry
Hudson Bridge |
Marine
Parkway Bridge |
Cross
Bay Bridge |
Current Toll Fares TBTA
/ MTA Crossings - Tolls By Mail (Full Price)
Bronx
Whitestone Bridge
Throgs Neck Bridge
Triborough "Robert F. Kennedy" Bridge
Brooklyn Battery "Hugh L. Carey" Tunnel
Queens Midtown Tunnel |
Verrazano
Narrows Bridge
(toll collected entering
Staten Island / westbound only)
|
Cross
Bay "Veterans Memorial" Bridge
and
Marine Parkway "Gil Hodges" Bridge |
Henry
Hudson Parkway Bridge |
two
axles auto
two axles
three axles
four axles
five axles
six axles
seven axles
additional axles |
$9.50
$19.00
$31.29
$39.12
$51.41
$59.24
$73.76
$11.18 |
two
axles auto
two axles
three axles
four axles
five axles
six axles
seven axles
additional axles |
$19.00
$38.00
$62.58
$78.24
$102.82
$118.48
$147.52
$22.36 |
two
axles auto
two axles
three axles
four axles
five axles
six axles
seven axles
additional axles |
$4.75
$9.50
$15.65
$19.56
$25.71
$29.62
$36.88
$5.59 |
two
axles auto only
no trucks allowed
|
$7.00 |
for
Current E-ZPass and Commuter Discount toll amounts, please refer to the
MTA Bridges & Tunnels website at: MTA
Bridges & Tunnels - Tolls
all text
& images: © 2020 Philip M. Goldstein ~ www.nyctollscrip.info
bedt14@aol.com
|
