MTA Police Continues Enforcement Blitz on Toll-Evaders, Seizing 18 Cars on Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

By Yehudit Garmaise

“No more free rides,” is the message Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) police officers want to send New Yorkers after stopping 18 toll-evaders on Friday and preventing them from continuing to cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

The drivers whose cars were seized by MTA officers two days ago collectively owed tolls and fines of $370,196, the Staten Island Advance reported. 

Among the impounded cars, many of which stashed dozens of ignored summons right in their glove compartments, was a 2017 Alpha Romeo, whose registered owner is accused of persistently failing to pay tolls. 

“To become a persistent toll violator, you really have to try,” remarked Richard Hildebrand, MTA Bridges and Tunnels’ vice president and chief of operations. “Anyone who doesn’t have an EZ-Pass tag gets a toll bill in the mail and receives multiple reminders as late fees and penalties are tacked on.”

When tolls remain unpaid, New York suspends toll-evaders’ cars’ registration. When drivers of unregistered cars pass through cashless tolling, MTA officers are alerted to immediately stop the drivers and take away their vehicles.

Toll evasion, which has increased 74% over this time last year, fare evasion, and low ridership on the MTA, have prevented New York’s mass transit agency to reverse its significant losses as it tries to bring people back to public transportation. 

photo credit: Flickr