In a bold move to address toll evasion and improve transportation infrastructure, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has introduced a new legislative proposal as part of her $233 billion state budget plan. This initiative targets drivers who evade the controversial $15 congestion pricing toll in Midtown Manhattan, treating such actions as criminal offenses. Under this proposal, drivers committing toll fraud—defined as fraudulently obtaining credits, discounts, or exemptions from tolls—could face serious legal consequences.
The proposed legislation classifies toll theft as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail. More severe penalties are in place for larger-scale fraud: evading tolls valued over $1,000 could lead to a Class E felony charge, and over $3,000 would be considered a Class D felony. Additionally, the legislation aims to crack down on obscured license plates, with fines ranging from $100 to $500 for those attempting to avoid tolls via this method. The bill also includes provisions for confiscating materials used to cover license plates, raising the minimum fine for such offenses to $250.
Governor Hochul’s proposal extends beyond the Midtown congestion pricing. It also targets toll evasion on all of New York’s tolled bridges and tunnels, as well as sales of fake “vanish plates” used to conceal real license plates. The governor’s office estimates that the crackdown could generate an additional $35 million to $55 million for toll collection agencies, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
This legislative move aligns with the MTA’s broader efforts to modernize toll enforcement in the digital age. John McCarthy, the MTA’s chief of policy and external affairs, commended the governor for introducing tools to control uncollectible and untraceable tolls due to obstructed or fake license plates. The new law, if passed, is expected to generate $35 million to $45 million in revenue for the MTA and would take effect 90 days after becoming law.
The congestion pricing program, initially approved in 2019 under former Governor Andrew Cuomo, is supported by Hochul. It aims to raise $1 billion annually for $15 billion in upgrades for the MTA’s subways, commuter railroads, and bus systems while reducing congestion in Manhattan’s business district. However, the program faces opposition from various groups, including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New York lawmakers, who have raised concerns about its environmental impact and potential traffic diversion to other neighborhoods. Despite these challenges, MTA officials maintain that the program has undergone extensive study and refute claims of legal shortcuts.
