ASAAL Staten Island Chapter own another battle that will relieve Staten Islanders from huge financial burden

Mohammed Chowdhury : GOOD NEWS FOR STATEN ISLANDERS. ASAAL Staten Island chapter own another battle against The Port Authority of NY & NJ that Will relief Staten Islanders from undue toll hike for NJ bound three bridges. Port authority wanted to increase trips from 3 to 10 in a month in order to qualify for Staten Island Resident discount! ASAAL joined our legislators including Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Charles Fall, Sen. Savino & Congressman Max Rose to fight against this devastating plan that will hit hard us all financially. ASAAL National Secretary Mohammed Karim Chowdhury opposed this unacceptable proposal from Port authority and spoke against this toll hike in a public hearing at CSI auditorium. Today, port authority withdrawn their proposal and accepted Staten Islanders demand for existing discounted rate and trip limit. Thanks to our legislators-and ASAAL for saving our much needed benefits.

It should also be mentioned that ASAAL has been fighting to eliminate Verrazano bridge toll for all Staten Island resident from 2015. Our persistent demand and continues pressure on our elected officials resulted in $14 millions per year state subsidies for Staten Island resident discount on Verrazano bridge toll. All Staten Islanders now pay $5.50 or $3.20 while all other users pay $17.00 per trip for regular cars. Thanks to Assemblyman Michael Cusick & Andrew Lanza for their hard works and successful advocacy for Staten Islanders. ASAAL will continue its fight against all kinds of unconventional taxing on Staten Islanders and for the fair share of our tax money we send to State and Federal governments.