The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has revealed that it collected more than $25 million from toll evaders in 2023, a 14 per cent increase from the previous year.
In addition to sharing toll evasion data with regional partners, the Port Authority increased targeted patrols, streamlined and improved internal data collection, and used various licence plate reader systems across a range of roadway infrastructure and police technology to catch evaders.
The agency also identified 10 repeat toll evaders for whom the biggest default judgements were issued in 2023.
The agency’s increased enforcement operations led in a 28 per cent rise in toll-evasion related summonses issued by the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD).
READ: PANYNJ, NASA enter space agreement to enhance flight technology
In 2023, the PAPD reportedly issued 5,861 toll evasion summonses, including 4,446 for obstructed, missing, or counterfeit licence plates.
In 2022, the agency issued approximately 4,700 toll evasion summonses and collected over $21 million in outstanding tolls and administrative fines.
Port Authority Chairman, Kevin O’Toole, said: “With increased patrols and the deployment of more technology across our infrastructure, we will catch toll violators and they will pay what they owe. Tolls fund the critical infrastructure that stitch our region together, and drivers will not be able to skate by and steal.”
Port Authority Executive Director, Rick Cotton, added: “Evading tolls or obstructing license plates is illegal – and robs our facilities of the resources needed to keep them running safely and efficiently. It is both unfair and illegal for toll cheats to try to dodge their share of the cost of maintaining the safety of our bridges and tunnels, and we are committed to thwarting this criminal behaviour.”
In September 2023, PANYNJ announced a $200-300 million investment to extend and renovate the Howland Hook Marine Terminal on Staten Island.
Two months later, PANYNJ began construction works on the $220 million Port Street Corridor Improvement project to rebuild Port Newark’s northern entrance at Port and Corbin streets.
