Establishes a central business district toll exemption during any period of strike by an employee organization, work stoppage or declared state of emergency

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and 6 co-sponsors

The bill temporarily exempts CBD tolls during strikes, work stoppages, or emergencies causing 24+ hours of disruption, and requires MTA refunds for affected monthly-toll users.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

Summary of Bill S 10535 (2025-2026) – New York

Purpose and intent

S 10535 seeks to establish a temporary exemption from central business district (CBD) tolls during specific periods of disruption. Specifically, the bill would prohibit charging CBD tolls during any period of strike by an employee organization, work stoppage, or declared state of emergency that causes a stoppage of more than 24 hours or significant delays to specified metropolitan transit agencies. It also requires the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to refund tolls collected from monthly ticket holders for business days when services are interrupted.

Key provisions and changes

CBD toll exemption: Under amended Section 1704-a of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, no individual or entity would be charged CBD tolls during:

A strike by an employee organization,
A work stoppage, or
A declared state of emergency
As long as these events cause a stoppage exceeding 24 hours or result in significant delays to services.

Definition of significant delays: Delays are considered significant if they involve interference with services that lead to longer platform time, longer train times, or major incidents as defined by a separate authority (Public Authorities Law section 1276-f).

Refund of tolls: The MTA must return or refund any CBD toll charges collected from monthly ticket holders for business days when CBD services are interrupted due to the above conditions.

Scope of applicability: The toll exemption applies to CBD tolls within the relevant New York central business district and affects tolls charged by agencies affected by the bill’s provisions (notably those within or associated with the MTA and its service area).

Who would be affected

Commuters and toll-paying individuals who use CBD toll facilities and hold monthly tickets, especially during service disruptions caused by strikes, work stoppages, or emergencies.

Transit agencies (notably the MTA and related authorities) would be responsible for implementing the toll exemption and processing refunds to monthly ticket holders.

Employers and labor organizations could indirectly be affected by the toll relief during periods of strikes or work stoppages.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced May 19, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation.

Effective date: Immediate upon enactment.

Next steps: If advanced, the bill would require passage by both legislative chambers and signature by the governor to become law. Implementation would involve toll policy adjustments and refund mechanisms by the MTA.

Practical impact and considerations

The bill provides immediate financial relief to CBD toll users during disruptions, potentially easing commuter burdens during strikes or emergencies.

It imposes an explicit obligation on the MTA to reimburse toll charges for affected days, which could impact transit revenue reconciliation and administrative processes.

The criteria for “significant delays” rely on existing definitions tied to major incidents, aligning with established public authorities’ standards.