MTA Officers Stop and Seize Cars of 44 Drivers at Verrazzano Bridge

By Yehudit Garmaise

In a four-day blitz last week, 44 drivers who regularly skip paying their tolls, were not only stopped from crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, but their cars were seized and towed.

During the crackdown, which took place from Dec. 12 to Dec. 15, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Bridge and Tunnel Officers stopped scofflaws whose unpaid tolls and fees totaled nearly $922,500. One of the top persistent toll violators, who often drive pricey cars, from this targeted enforcement owed over $52,000 in tolls and fees.   

“It's not right when drivers in Mercedes and Porsches come onto our bridges and through tunnels and skip out on thousands of dollars in tolls, said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “[Such drivers] are taking the public's money, and New Yorkers are not going to put up with it.” 

The MTA’s message is simple, said Lieber, who said the bridge and tunnels operation was “about fundamental fairness.”

“If you cover your license plate or use fake plates, you will pay the price,” Lieber promised. “If you’re a repeat offender, your car is going to be seized and you could get arrested.”  

Robust roadside enforcement, the DMV Registration Suspension Program, and data-driven intelligence has helped bridge and tunnel officers to catch more persistent toll violators than ever.

Not only has the MTA has now recovered more than 98% of unpaid tolls, but the agency continues to interdict more and more drivers who refuse to pay their tolls and fees.

“We surpassed the total interdicted vehicles for 2022 by the summer and are capping the year off with another blitz to educate scofflaws and aspiring scofflaws,” said MTA Bridges and Tunnels Vice President & Chief of Operations Richard L. Hildebrand II. “We have the tools to catch you. 

“Trust me: paying the toll is a lot easier than being pulled over and having your car towed.”