Thruway Cashless Toll System: Details Released On Amnesty

TARRYTOWN, NY — After an outcry from motorists who have been socked with fines from the cashless toll system, the state Thruway Authority said Tolls By Mail customers will receive amnesty on their fines, beginning next week, once the outstanding tolls have been paid. Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll discussed the details of the amnesty program Wednesday at the Thruway’s Tarrytown offices.

Driscoll talked about a multi-point action plan to increase educational outreach and improve awareness for cashless tolling billing at the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, including an account credit to encourage motorists to sign up for E-ZPass.

The Thruway Authority is owed a total of about $8 million in unpaid tolls by drivers crossing the Mario without E-ZPass.

Beginning Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, a new dedicated webpage, thruway.ny.gov/amnesty, will allow customers to enter their license plate, state and ZIP Code to determine if they have open violations and how much they owe in tolls. Customers will be able to “Pay Now” with a credit card or print a coupon that they can mail to the Thruway Authority with a check or money order for the tolls they owe by Feb. 26, 2018. Once a customer’s tolls have been paid in full, violation fines and fees will be waived.

In early February, eligible motorists will receive a letter from the Thruway Authority with their outstanding toll balances and instructions on how to have their violation fees waived.

The Thruway Authority is offering this amnesty program to Tolls By Mail customers with passenger vehicles who have open violations issued between April 24, 2016, through Jan. 31, 2018. These customers include those who were already referred to a collection agency or have had their registration suspended. Customers must pay their entire outstanding toll balance by Feb. 26, 2018, in order to receive amnesty on open violations.

The violation amnesty applies to:

• Customers who paid their toll bill in full but still have unpaid violations or fees.
• Customers currently on payment plans (they will not have to make additional payments).
• Customers currently in registration suspension settlements or those who have been referred to the DMV for registration suspension.

Customers with E-ZPass violations or other violations unrelated to the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge are not eligible for the amnesty program.

Driscoll said the authority is offering motorists a chance to start 2018 with a clean slate “by paying off their outstanding tolls without penalty as we strive to improve the customer experience for everyone.

“The Thruway Authority remains committed to working with all of its customers who wish to pay their bills on time, and we understand it starts with education and improved awareness,” he said.

The authority is also installing new signage that outlines Tolls By Mail payment options, as well as how to avoid late fees and penalties. They are also clarifying language on bills and envelopes to emphasize ways to avoid fines.

Motorists will be encouraged to sign up for an E-ZPass by being able to purchase an E-ZPass On-the-Go at one of about 780 retailers across the state. If it’s registered between Thursday, Feb. 1 and Monday, Feb. 26 and the customer takes 10 trips on the state Thruway in six months, they will receive a $10 credit to their account.

To ensure that all users of Thruway toll facilities pay their fair share, a series of enforcement measures are in place to combat toll payment evasion and chronic toll scofflaws. Customers who do not pay their tolls are subject to violation fees, registration suspensions, and other enforcement actions. For the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, if the first toll bill is not paid by the customer, a $5 late fee will be imposed on the second notice. If a second notice is also ignored, violation fees of $100 per toll will be imposed.

New York State law requires motorists to keep their address current with the Department of Motor Vehicles to ensure bills are mailed to the proper owner. Drivers must update their address with the DMV within 10 days of moving. The DMV has enacted a regulation that allows suspension of the vehicle registration of motorists with three or more unpaid tolls, violation fees and other charges resulting from violations on different days, as well as registration suspension of commercial vehicle owners with $200 or more in unpaid tolls and violation fees within a period of five years. Repeated notices are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle before suspension.

Photo credit: NYS Thruway Authority.