"A new MTA analysis of toll evasion found that the amount of money owed by drivers who don't pay mailed toll invoices has more than doubled since 2022, from $147 million in unpaid tolls to nearly $350 million. The MTA published the analysis as part of a "policy brief" that discussed potential solutions to the prevalent problem of ghost plates and the surging incidence of unpaid tolls-by-mail."
"The agency specifically highlighted twin bills (S. 7905/ A. 8860) that would allow a police officer to seize illegal license plate covers from scofflaws. Under the bills, sponsored by state Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge) and Assembly Member Landon Dais (D-Bronx), drivers would also get points on their license for being caught with an obstructed or defaced plate three times in a five-year period."
"To crack down on toll-by-mail evasion, the same legislation would allow the agency to place liens on scofflaws' bank accounts or property until they pay up, and allow MTA Bridge and Tunnel police to enforce judgments - a responsibility that now falls on the New York City Sheriff."
The MTA reports that toll evasion through unpaid mailed invoices has surged dramatically, with outstanding tolls reaching nearly $350 million. The agency published a policy brief proposing legislative solutions to address both ghost plates and toll-by-mail evasion. Proposed legislation would authorize police to seize illegal license plate covers and impose license points for repeated violations. Additionally, the bills would grant the MTA authority to place liens on bank accounts and property of non-payers and allow MTA police to enforce judgments. Ghost plates currently cost the MTA $56 million annually, though this represents a decline from previous years. The agency seeks expanded enforcement powers from Albany legislators to combat the growing toll evasion problem.
Read at Streetsblog
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