Toll Evader Crackdown Starts

PHOTO: New York Thruway Authority traffic cam in Nyack

The suspension process for 575 New York-registered vehicles has started as part of the state's new crackdown on persistent toll violators.

Those vehicles are alleged to have violated the recently adopted state regulations targeting people who fail to pay tolls, fees and other charges resulting from five toll violations on different days over an 18-month period. The regulation applies to all New York toll crossings, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Wednesday.

"These scofflaws operate at the expense of law abiding toll payers and put additional stress on New York's transportation network without providing any resources to maintain it," Cuomo said in a prepared statement. "This administration's action stops these toll evaders in their tracks and sends a simple message: If you don’t pay your fair share, you will be held accountable."

The new state regulations went into effect Jan. 20.

Prior to the suspensions taking effect, the Department of Motor Vehicles sends letters notifying owners that their vehicle registrations will be suspended within 45 days unless they pay the specified charges, or unless they contact the E-ZPass New York Customer Service Center to resolve the charges, or contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to request a hearing.

Letters have been sent to people with violations at New York State Thruway Authority, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bridges and Tunnels facilities such as the Tappan Zee Bridge, with its new cashless toll system.

"The MTA's seven bridges and two tunnels are vital lifelines into and around the entire City of New York, used by more than 800,000 drivers per day," MTA Chairman Tom Prendergast said. "We work hard to control our costs so we can keep tolls down. But we also depend on revenues to maintain these important transportation links."

Motor vehicle owners receiving a "Notice of Registration" letter from DMV for unpaid tolls and fees owed to any New York State tolling authority, and who wish to avoid having their registration suspended, must contact the E-ZPass New York Customer Service Center at 800-333-8655 to pay or dispute the charges.

This applies whether or not the violator is an E-ZPass user. Violators also may request a hearing with DMV by following the instructions in the suspension letter.

For all violations, the tolling authority sends the toll violator two notices for each violation including the amount owed and instructions on how to pay or dispute the charges.

In addition to possible registration suspension, failure to pay or have the charges dismissed or transferred may also result in referral to a collection agency, additional fees and charges, or legal action.

"New York's Thruway is one of the longest toll supported highways in the nation and hundreds of millions of motorists utilize it each year," Thruway Authority Interim Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Maria Lehman, P.E. said. "Unfortunately, delinquent toll evaders have created disparity on toll roads in our state – everyone needs to pay their fair share if they use the road. With Governor Cuomo’s plan to suspend the registration of repeat toll evaders, justice will be restored for the majority of drivers who obey the law and pay the toll they owe."