On this page (7)
In short
Since 2019, the charges that NYC taxi and app trips carry have changed many times. The state congestion surcharge began in January 2019. The Verrazzano went to two-way tolling in December 2020. TLC's round-trip toll rule changed who pays it in November 2023. MTA congestion pricing started January 5, 2025. The Port Authority's Mid-Tier rate began July 6, 2025. MTA's current rates took effect January 4, 2026. The airport access fee rose on March 15, 2026. More steps are already scheduled for 2027, 2028 and 2031. This page lists each change with its official source and what it meant for drivers.
Dates and amounts come from the agency documents linked below. Current rates are quoted from TLC Help's rates file, as of 2026-10-12.
The timeline
Each change, and what it meant for drivers
1986 and 2020: the Verrazzano
MTA explains that the bridge was tolled both ways when it opened in 1964. In 1986, "toll collection in the eastbound (to Brooklyn) direction was eliminated and tolls in the westbound (to Staten Island) direction were doubled." Split tolling came back on December 1, 2020: "The toll will be collected in each direction" (MTA). TLC's 2023 rule notice dates it "Since December 2, 2020."
For drivers: a trip to Staten Island now meant paying again to come back. Under TLC's old rule, passengers paid only tolls "driving to the passenger's destination," so drivers covered the return.
January 1, 2019: the state congestion surcharge
TLC: "On January 1st 2019, New York State's congestion surcharge will take effect." It applies to trips that start, end or pass through Manhattan south of 96th Street. TLC adds that "The congestion surcharge cannot be taken out of the driver's pay, and must be passed on to the passenger(s)" (TLC). Today's amounts are $2.50 per medallion taxi trip, $2.75 for other for-hire trips including green cabs, and $0.75 per pool trip (as of 2026-10-12).
June 2019: the Port Authority proposal
A Port Authority Board document dated June 27, 2019 proposed that "the $1.00 inflation adjustment would go into effect on January 5, 2020 and future inflation adjustments would continue thereafter." It cited E-ZPass use "up from 74% in 2008 to over 85% in 2018" and proposed shrinking the E-ZPass discount for autos by 25 cents (Port Authority). This was a proposal document. Today's car rates are $14.79 off-peak and $16.79 peak with E-ZPass, and $23.30 by mail.
November 29, 2023: TLC's round-trip toll rule
After a public hearing on August 9, 2023, TLC adopted the rule on October 18, 2023. It took effect November 29, 2023 (NYC Rules). TLC's statement of basis: "There is no way to return from Staten Island to the other four boroughs without again crossing the Verrazzano." Now, inside the city, passengers pay two times the toll from Brooklyn over the Verrazzano to Staten Island, and from Queens or Brooklyn over the Cross Bay or Marine Parkway bridges to the Rockaways. They pay no toll in the opposite directions (TLC promulgation). The online chapter 58 and 59 rule books show the new text. Details: the Verrazzano and Rockaway return toll rule.
What it means in dollars today: take a taxi trip from Brooklyn to Staten Island over the Verrazzano with an E-ZPass NY tag. The passenger pays 2 × $7.46 = $14.92 in tolls, which covers the driver's crossing back (MTA rates effective January 4, 2026). On a trip the other way, from Staten Island to Brooklyn, the passenger pays no Verrazzano toll. The rule says tolls are paid "except for trips ... From Staten Island over the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge to Brooklyn." So, before November 29, 2023, the driver absorbed the return crossing on Staten Island trips. Now the passenger who goes onto the island pays for both crossings, and the passenger who leaves it pays for neither. Taxi and FHV owner rules (58-26(f), 59A-23(b)) carry the same text. The green cab chapter PDF we downloaded on October 12, 2026 still showed older wording, but the 2023 rule amended section 82-26 too.
January 5, 2025: congestion pricing
TLC Industry Notice #24-10 explains the per-trip plan. Passengers pay $1.50 per trip dispatched by high-volume services (Uber, Lyft) and $0.75 for taxis, green cabs and other FHVs, "for each trip to, from, within, or through" the Congestion Relief Zone. For taxis and green cabs, the charge "must be added to the meter." If the base or technology provider hasn't signed the MTA agreement, the vehicle "may be charged a $9 toll up to once per day paid by the vehicle owner" (TLC). See congestion pricing for TLC drivers.
2025: Mid-Tier at the Port Authority
Approved December 12, 2024 and effective July 6, 2025. A car whose NY or NJ tag isn't read pays $19.55 (Port Authority). See Mid-Tier and tag mounting.
January 4, 2026: current MTA rates
MTA's table says "These toll rates are effective as of January 4, 2026" (MTA).
March 15, 2026 to 2028: the airport access fee
The Port Authority's approved schedule raises the ground transportation access fee "to be aligned with our peer airports." For-hire vehicles (limos, black cars, app-based) go from $2.50 to $3.50 for pick-up and drop-off on March 15, 2026, then $4.50 in 2027 and $5.00 in 2028. Taxi pick-ups go from $1.75 to $2.00, then $2.25 and $2.50 (Port Authority). See Port Authority airport access fee.
2028 and 2031: congestion pricing phases
The TBTA schedule sets later phases. The per-trip charge rises to $1.00 (taxi, green, FHV) and $2.00 (high-volume) for 2028-2030, then $1.25 and $2.50 from 2031. A private car's peak E-ZPass toll goes from $9.00 to $12.00, then $15.00. See congestion pricing increases in 2028 and 2031.
What to watch
Rates change. When an agency announces a new change, check the date it takes effect, which vehicles it covers, and whether it is charged to the passenger or the vehicle. Then check your receipts and pay statements after that date. TLC Help updates its rates file when official pages change.
Related
Frequently asked questions
When did the Verrazzano start charging in both directions?
December 1, 2020, according to MTA. From 1986 until then, only the westbound direction toward Staten Island was tolled, at a doubled rate. TLC's 2023 rule notice gives December 2, 2020.
When did TLC change who pays the Verrazzano return toll?
TLC's round-trip toll rule took effect November 29, 2023. Passengers going from Brooklyn to Staten Island over the Verrazzano now pay two times the toll, and passengers leaving Staten Island over it pay none.
When did congestion pricing start for taxis and Ubers?
January 5, 2025. Under the per-trip plan, passengers pay $0.75 per trip in taxis, green cabs and other FHVs and $1.50 in Uber and Lyft trips that touch the zone.
What toll changes are scheduled ahead?
The Port Authority airport access fee rises again on March 15, 2027 and March 15, 2028. The MTA congestion per-trip charge rises to $1.00/$2.00 in 2028-2030 and $1.25/$2.50 from 2031.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC: Congestion Surcharge nyc.gov
- Port Authority Board: 2019 toll, fare and fee proposal panynj.gov
- MTA: Split tolling at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge mta.info
- TLC Notice of Promulgation: Payment of Round Trip Tolls nyc.gov
- NYC Rules: Payment of Round Trip Tolls (effective Nov 29, 2023) rules.cityofnewyork.us
- TLC Industry Notice #24-10: MTA Congestion Pricing Toll nyc.gov
- Port Authority: Bridge and tunnel tolls (Mid-Tier note) panynj.gov
- MTA: Tolls by vehicle type (rates effective Jan 4, 2026) mta.info
- Port Authority: Approved aviation fee changes (airport access fee) panynj.gov
- TBTA Central Business District (CBD) toll schedule mta.info
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.
TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.