MTA reduces fines for toll evaders from $100 to $50

The fines for drivers who evade tolls on some of the MTA’s bridges and tunnels will be cut in half in September.

Drivers who fail to pay to cross the Bronx-Whitestone, Triborough, Throgs Neck and Verrazzano-Narrows bridges — as well as the Queens-Midtown and Brooklyn-Battery tunnels — will face a fee of $50 instead of $100. The change, which the MTA board is slated to finalize on Wednesday, codifies legislation passed by Albany lawmakers in April as part of a larger program to crack down on toll evaders. The legislation also empowers state officials to revoke the vehicle registration of drivers who regularly evade the MTA’s tolls.

The $50 fines would also apply to drivers who skirt the agency’s congestion pricing tolls — if and when Gov. Kathy Hochul revokes her pause of the program.

MTA spokesperson Joana Flores said part of the change will help the MTA align its fine amounts with those of the Port Authority.

David Moretti, a former executive vice president of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, said the reduction of the fines is likely intended to encourage more scofflaws to actually pay their fines.

“The purpose of the toll agency is very simple: it’s to pay the toll when you cross the bridge. They don’t want to have to collect,” Moretti said. “It’s one last step. It’s a long process to go after people.”

The reduction comes as police continue to crack down on chronic toll evaders — including drivers who cover or obscure their license plates to evade automated cameras that enforce tolls at bridges and tunnels.

Hochul said earlier this month that an MTA crackdown on toll evaders had resulted in 339 arrests, more than 12,000 summonses, and 1,500 vehicles being impounded.

Hochul said those drivers owe more than $12.5 million in unpaid tolls and late fees. Earlier this month, the NYPD said drivers who use fake plates often have stacks of outstanding bills.