A professional driver in New York City is facing over $14,000 in late E-ZPass fees from the MTA, resulting in a suspended license, despite his claims of having paid his tolls on time.
Louis Corporan, who has been a licensed driver with the Taxi and Limousine Commission for many years, has been unable to work since February 9 after receiving a notice from the DMV that stripped him of his driving privileges and imposed hefty penalties. He was shocked to learn about these charges, as he thought he had settled his tolls. According to CBS New York, the MTA has not been responsive to his appeals.
“As drivers, we need to manage our expenses, and I paid the tolls on time,” Corporan stated. He added that upon seeing the amount owed, he was left in disbelief, pondering how he would find the necessary funds.
Corporan indicated that the fees go back several years, totaling $2,134 in unpaid tolls and an additional $11,900 in late fees.
Although he sometimes received notifications from the MTA, he believed they were for tolls he had already paid via the app. Now, he’s confused about why his E-ZPass tag works at some tolls but not others, raising questions about the situation.
Moreover, when he attempted to address the matter, the MTA apparently offered a settlement of around $8,000 but required payment by the end of the day, which he couldn’t afford. His financial burdens have only increased since then.
When CBS inquired about Corporan’s specific case, the MTA did not provide a clear response, stating that those who are paying the tolls are not the ones accumulating fines, labeling his situation as a case of “deliberate and persistent toll evasion.”
Many other drivers in New York have reportedly faced similar penalties. In light of this, state Representative Mike Riley is advocating for legislation to cap outrageous fees that the MTA claims are justified. Riley expressed, “This approach doesn’t consider the people affected.” He emphasized that legality doesn’t always equate to ethics, noting that his proposal to limit charges hasn’t been passed yet.
