New York drivers say they're fed up with E-ZPass toll booths We have started an online petition It aims to change the system, including congestion pricing, and has already gained thousands of backers.
Some of the signers of the petition, which has gathered more than 7,000 signatures since last week, say they are in debt due to E-ZPass late fees and have collected more than $100,000 in electronic toll penalties alone. Some people do. system.
“This is legal extortion…the exorbitant amount of tolls, violations, and fees that E-ZPass charges,” petition starter and longtime Bronx resident Joel Becerra told the Post. spoke.
“I'm all for transit, and I'm all for people using the subway, but a lot of people aren't, because right now it's just not safe,” Becerra said. spoke.
Becerra told the Post that as a result of his petition, hundreds of people have contacted him with the same problem of late fee debt, as well as what he and other critics call the MTA's latest money grab. In other words, he said he was dissatisfied with the congestion charge until he entered Midtown. Manhattan.
“Pause and reassess congestion pricing: Conduct an independent study of the real impact of these charges. Ensure this plan does not penalize those who can least afford it.” the petition states.
The petition also calls for increased “oversight and accountability” on where funds raised by the fees are spent.
Additionally, “Transparency and Fair Pricing: End surprise fees and excessive fines from EZPass. Simplify the system so everyone knows what they're paying.”
“It makes you feel hopeless,” Becerra said of the late fees.
The New York State Highway Administration did not respond to The Post's request for comment, nor did the MTA.
A state bill called the Ratepayer Protection Act is introduced each year and aims to: Significantly limit late fees in the system – But despite overwhelming support in Congress, it was shot down by both former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Hochul said in 2022 that the measure “threatens the financial stability of the state's transportation infrastructure and serves to protect toll violators rather than responsible ratepayers and protecting the roads and bridges that New Yorkers rely on.” “It will be.”
But some New Yorkers told the Post they're struggling with E-ZPass late fees, which start at $50 after 30 days. And it only gets astronomical from there.
“You actually end up with bills without even realizing it, and sometimes unpaid payments show up on your doorstep,” driver Nico D'Ancona said. “After my E-ZPass expired, I didn't think about it because it just sat on my dashboard, and all of a sudden I had $600 to pay. did.”
“There was a time when I had a bill worth $1,200 because I was constantly running back and forth and not checking the mail,” he added.
“I get bills over $300 a month,” he said.
“I get my bills. I get more than $300 a month,” said Freddie Cordova, 46, who works in New Jersey.
Driver Steve McCormick, 58, told the Post the fares were “too high.”
“And when you have people who are on their own and have an income, they just get by.” [by] Every week…where do I have to earn extra money to take care of the rest? That's not correct. ”
Becerra, who drives about an hour to meet his girlfriend in Queens, said it would take three times as long to take the subway.
The Bronx resident said it can take up to a month for him to receive a notice if he misses a payment. This means you could be fined without even realizing it.
Late fees have ballooned, turning a $100 fee into more than $1,000.
“One of the things they do is wait,” he said of transportation officials. and” [license-plate] Dear reader, there may be errors from time to time. they are not [always] Please read correctly. ”
As for MTA tolls, he said, “If you regularly go to Queens and come back from the Bronx, you're looking at at least $400 to $1,000 a month.” “I can't even imagine what it would be like to go to Manhattan.” [with congestion pricing]”
Rising transportation costs, whether it's subways, ferries, Citibikes or cars, are making residents like Becerra reconsider living in the Big Apple, he said.
“We are now planning for our future,” the Bronx native told the Post. “But New York isn’t really considered because of fees and pricing.”
“I love New York. I want to be a part of this city, but you have to do what you have to do to make sure the people who are alive feel safe.” [situation] It’s the right thing to do for your family and for yourself,” lamented the petition organizer.
Becerra said he has not yet received a response from the mayor's or governor's offices regarding the petition, but plans to engage lawyers and advocacy groups in the coming weeks.
“This is one of the greatest cities in the world, and it shouldn't be like this,” Becerra said.
“There are better, more ethical ways to live in New York, have cleaner transportation, and feel like this is a better city to live in, but it’s becoming more difficult to do that every day.”
