AMNY Subway Tracker

The Port Authority is pushing ahead with all-electronic tolls at the tunnels, Marlene Naanes reports from this morning's committee meeting. The project, for which $9 million has been allocated thus far, would eliminate toll-booth clerks, with motorists zipping through with E-ZPass-tagged cars. Those without the tags would have photos taken of their plates, and a bill sent in the mail. Obviously, the latter will prove problematic, and the PA is working on planning and engineering for a project that could be five years away, if it receives final approval.

Another meeting this afternoon will focus on World Trade Center redevelopment. We’ll keep you informed.

Update: PA has signed off on the plan, as well as JP Morgan's move to the new World Trade Center. Images of that plan TK.

-- Rolando Pujol

(Courtesy of New York State Thruway Authority)

In the semi-useless information department: Nor’easters threaten our property and keep us home from work. The latter decreased E-ZPass use this past April. It seems to be a yearly event when April showers bring wary drivers.

-- Marlene Naanes

The MTA renewed its 10-year $184 million contract with ACS State & Local Solutions to run its E-ZPass system, together with the Port Authority and NYS Thruway.

Even though the MTA often says it is a transportation agency not an economic development agency, it showed some heart. The company said it could save $12 million dollars if it moved its call center from Staten Island to Kentucky. The MTA told the company to stay in New York.

Kudos to them.

And part of the contract will include upgrades to the customer service system. It will soon have a live chat function on the E-Z Pass web site. But more annoying, there will be a new phone tree to navigate through before reaching a live person.

-- Chuck Bennett