MTA toll hike now in effect

NEW YORK - Be prepared to open your wallets a little bit wider as the latest round of toll hikes at MTA bridges and tunnels has gone into effect.

As of Sunday, tolls for E-ZPass drivers have jumped from $6.12 to $6.55, while the charge for drivers who pay their tolls by mail has risen from $9.50 to $10.17.

There is also an additional charge of $8.36 in place for anyone with an E-ZPass that is improperly mounted, in order to cover the cost of having to verify the vehicle's registration.

The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge post-rebated toll will remain $2.75 each way.

Officials say the program could generate as much as $24M in additional revenue annually.

New York City is also considering becoming one of the first cities in the United States to use "congestion pricing," which would charge drivers an additional toll to enter Manhattan's core. Advocates say the plan could generate an extra $1B for the state.