With the implementation of congestion fees, some drivers have started to evade payment by covering or smearing their license plates. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) began cracking down on fee evasion starting from Tuesday, issuing nearly 200 tickets and arresting 3 people while impounding 27 vehicles in just two days, Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to data released by the authorities, the enforcement actions primarily targeted the congestion pricing zone south of 60th Street in Manhattan, covering the area south of Central Park. On Tuesday, January 7th, police issued 82 tickets, followed by 117 tickets on Wednesday, January 8th, totaling 199 tickets, including 81 related to obscured, scratched, or covered license plates.
Police also issued tickets for multiple vehicles with excessively tinted windows, unregistered, and uninspected vehicles. On Tuesday, 17 vehicles were impounded, and on Wednesday, 10 vehicles were impounded. Additionally, two individuals were arrested on the same day for driving without a license and possessing forged documents, while another driver suspected of driving under the influence was arrested on Wednesday.
Since the congestion pricing policy took effect on January 5th, the standard passenger vehicles entering the toll zone during the day (from 5 am to 9 pm) are charged $9 per trip if using E-ZPass, and $13 if paying by mail without E-ZPass. This policy has sparked backlash and complaints from New York drivers.
A driver surnamed Lin, who frequently visits Manhattan, commented, “Now that you have to pay to enter Manhattan via the Manhattan Bridge or Brooklyn Bridge, it’s really hard to accept.”
However, in contrast to those evading congestion fees by concealing license plates, Ms. Kuang, a restaurant owner in Manhattan, stated that she would cut back on purchasing bubble tea and snacks, reducing daily expenses to save money for paying the congestion fees.