So Much for “camera enforcement” eh.
The 182,000 “malicious obstruction” transactions tallied so far this year is up from 175,000 in 2023 and more than double 2022’s 72,000.
Read the full article at Yahoo! News
Summary of Revenue Loss Due to Toll Evasion on the NYS Thruway
Quick Overview
The New York State Thruway Authority has reported a staggering revenue loss of $631,000 in 2024 due to drivers employing various tricks to evade tolls. This figure marks a significant increase from the previous year and raises concerns about the effectiveness of cashless tolling systems and the growing trend of toll evasion.
Key Points
- Surge in Revenue Loss: The Thruway Authority has experienced a 55% increase in revenue loss from toll evasion, with figures rising from $407,000 in 2023 to $631,000 in 2024.
- Toll Evasion Tactics: Drivers are using a variety of methods to obscure their license plates, including physical coverings, alterations with markers, and stickers.
- Impact of Toll Hikes: The Thruway Authority attributes part of the revenue loss to recent toll increases implemented in January 2024, although they maintain that the number of malicious obstruction incidents remains stable.
- Wider Context of Evasion: The issue of toll evasion is not isolated to the Thruway; similar challenges are faced by other agencies, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which has reported over $700 million lost to fare evasion.
- Enforcement Measures: In response to rising evasion rates, the Thruway Authority is exploring new enforcement mechanisms, while the MTA has begun deploying drones as aerial license plate readers to identify repeat offenders.
Detailed Breakdown
Revenue Loss Statistics
The Thruway Authority has recorded a total of 182,000 “malicious obstruction” transactions in 2024, up from 175,000 in 2023 and more than double the 72,000 recorded in 2022. Over the past three years, total losses have exceeded $1.2 million. The Authority has collected $887 million in tolls this year, compared to $825.5 million for the entirety of 2023.
Evasion Tactics
Drivers are increasingly creative in their attempts to avoid tolls. Tactics include:
- Covering plates with hands or fanny packs.
- Altering license plate characters with black tape or markers.
- Using stickers to obscure plate information.
These methods not only complicate enforcement but also highlight the challenges of maintaining an effective cashless tolling system.
Toll Hikes and Their Effects
The Thruway Authority links the increase in revenue loss to toll hikes instituted in January 2024. However, they emphasize that such evasive actions constitute only 0.05% of all toll transactions processed, indicating that while the dollar amount is significant, it represents a small fraction of overall toll revenue.
Broader Implications
The MTA has reported similar concerns, estimating over $700 million lost to fare evasion across its systems, including bridges and tunnels. The MTA lost $46 million specifically to toll evasion in 2022. The ongoing issue of revenue loss is prompting discussions about budget management and accountability, particularly as congestion pricing plans are being debated.
Enforcement Strategies
To combat toll evasion, the MTA is utilizing drones for aerial surveillance, which can identify repeat offenders and alert law enforcement. The Thruway Authority, while not employing drones, is considering legislative measures to prohibit the sale of devices that facilitate toll evasion, such as vanish plates.
Notable Quotes & Data
- Jennifer Givner, Thruway Authority spokeswoman, stated, “Holding that number steady is important. It’s important that it has not increased. We’re going to continue to pursue those individuals who try to evade paying their tolls.”
- The state estimates that between $35 million and $55 million is lost to toll theft each year across various tolling agencies.
Context & Implications
The rise in toll evasion on the NYS Thruway reflects broader trends in transportation revenue loss, particularly in the post-pandemic era. As agencies like the MTA and Thruway Authority grapple with the financial implications of evasion, the need for effective enforcement and potential legislative changes becomes increasingly urgent. The ongoing challenges highlight the necessity for transportation authorities to adapt their strategies to safeguard revenue while ensuring fair use of public infrastructure.