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Trucking companies are the main target in the New York State Thruway\u2019s campaign to collect \u201cevery single dollar\u201d owed by debtors who evade tolls.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The NYS Thruway Authority reportedly lost $70 million to unpaid tolls in 2024. Now, the organization is looking to collect from debtors who top the list for the amount of tolls owed: Trucking companies.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Democrat and Chronicle<\/a>, trucking companies who evade tolls do so by allowing their trucks<\/a> to use the toll roads with E-ZPass tags deactivated after the companies failed to pay on them. The companies then ignore the Tolls By Mail notices. Some trucking companies have even reportedly used markers to alter their license plates or utilized \u201cghost plates.\u201d<\/p>\n Three trucking companies are facing lawsuits from the NYS Thruway for a combined $1.2M in owed tolls. Northside Industrial Corp. of the Bronx owes more than $600,000 in tolls and fines; Chris Ridenhour of Ossining owes $311,542 in tolls and fines; Williamsburg Materials Corp. of Maspeth, Queens owes $316,000 in tolls and fines.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen it comes down to it, those who are not paying are thieves,\u201d said Frank Hoare, the Thruway\u2019s executive director. \u201cThey\u2019re stealing from us. And it\u2019s really not that different from going into a store and shoplifting. They\u2019re using our system and not paying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat 4%, they are persistent and egregious toll evaders,\u201d Hoare said. \u201cWe\u2019re not going after somebody who misses their monthly payment. We\u2019re talking about people who run up big numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to collect every single dollar not only because of the need to invest those toll dollars in the system but also it\u2019s just not fair to the vast majority who are paying,\u201d Hoare said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n