New York MTA Busts Drivers Owing More Than $400k in Unpaid Tolls

Crossing the Verrazzano Bridge in New York costs $6.50 each way at the toll, and $10 for a whole trip if you don’t have an EZ Pass. Many drivers have made attempts at avoiding paying the tolls, only to find themselves caught in the act.

As reported by the New York Post, MTA police pulled over three dozen vehicles in a single day hoping to avoid paying the bridge toll.

But among the drivers that were caught in the act was the owner of a Mazda CX-5 who owed $57,000 in unpaid tolls and fines.

Another offender busted by police had over 500 violations dated as far as May 2021, with most of them occurring on the Verrazzano bridge. Police officers say the driver pretended that he was not aware of any fines that needed to be paid. That was until they opened the glove compartment only to find several orange envelopes and notices.

Police also pulled over a 30-year-old Ford Mustang driver who reportedly broke down, cried, and called his father. One officer explained to the driver’s father that the Mustang being driven by his son was unregistered, so it had to be seized by police until the fines were paid.

The MTA loses an estimated $50 million per year due to toll evaders, but believe that operations such as this will deter future evaders and help them recover the money lost.