Part 2/10:
Drivers across New York have reported discrepancies between the small tolls they pay—sometimes as little as $2 or $3—and the exorbitant penalties they face when payments are late or missed. One driver recounted receiving a bill for thousands of dollars in late fees, with his original $3 toll ballooning to a $35,000 debt after late charges and penalties. After reaching out to the MTA, some of these charges were reduced, but confusion remains about how fees escalate and how the system is structured.
MTA officials, including Chief Thomas Taffy, explain that the $50 fee charged after 60 days unpaid is a one-time toll violation fee, and that unpaid tolls can lead to aggressive enforcement actions—such as suspending vehicle registration via the DMV, effectively making it illegal to drive.