Gov. Kathy Hochul declares war against NYC congestion toll beaters with ‘fraud’ proposal in new budget

Drivers who evade the controversial $15 congestion pricing toll to enter Midtown Manhattan will be treated like criminals under legislation introduced by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Hochul included a “toll fraud” proposal in her $233 billion state budget plan.

The measure would allow cops to charge drivers with a Class A Misdemeanor toll theft — defined as fraudulently attempting to obtain a credit, discount or exemption from tolls.

Scammers who evade paying tolls valued at more than $1,000 could get slapped with a Class E felony and a Class D felony for pocketing tolls valued at more than $3,000.

Misdemeanors can result in up to one year of jail time.

The new law, if enacted by the legislature, would generate $35 million to $45 million in revenue for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The MTA will collect the toll imposed to enter the central Midtown Business District as early as May to fund “transportation operations and infrastructure that is currently being lost due to theft of public services.”

The penalties would take place 90 days after becoming law.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget includes a “toll fraud” proposal that would punish drivers who evade congestion pricing tolls in Manhattan. AP Photo/Hans Pennink

The governor also recommends imposing a fine of $100 to $500 on drivers passing through license plate readers with intentionally obscured plates to avoid paying tolls on all New York’s tolled bridges and tunnels.

The bill also authorizes police to confiscate material that covers license plates and raise the minimum fine in such instances to $250.

Drivers caught beating the tolls on Hudson River and East River crossings and the Thruway Authority would also be busted for theft of service.

The law would allow police to charge divers with a Class A Misdemeanor toll theft. AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey

The bill also calls for outlawing the sales of “vanish plates” and other fake license plates that cover real plates.

The crackdown would generate an additional $35 million to $55 million for toll collection agencies, including the MTA and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and take place one year after becoming law.

As The Post reported last week, Hochul is backing the MTA’s push to overhaul how fare-beating is policed with proposals that would increase fines for repeat offenders — but let first-timers off with just a warning.

Congestion pricing equipment set up in Manhattan on West End Ave and West 61st St. Christopher Sadowski

The MTA thanked Hochul for going after toll cheaters in the age of high-tech.

“The MTA has been using every tool available to deter and apprehend toll scofflaws. However, technology can get ahead of what is permissible under the law,” said John McCarthy, the MTA’s chief of policy and external affairs.

“We commend Governor Hochul for proposing significant additional tools that can be used to control uncollectible and untraceable tolls due to obstructed or fake license plates.”

Hochul’s proposed law is evidence that she’s solidly behind the congestion pricing program.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Democratic-run Assembly and Senate approved the congestion pricing program for the MTA to implement back in 2019.

The new law could generate an estimated $35 to $45 million a year for the MTA. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Hochul inherited and supports the program that is expected to raise $1 billion a year to fund $15 billion worth of upgrades for the MTA’s subway, commuter railroads, and bus systems while aiming to curb congestion in the Manhattan business district during peak hours.

The MTA has begun to install license readers on the FDR Drive and West Side highways as part of the congestion toll program.

Opponents — including New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, New York lawmakers, the teachers union and residents from the Lower East Side and across the city — have filed federal lawsuits to block the program.

They argue that the feds and the state failed to conduct an adequate environmental review and are diverting traffic to other neighborhoods by imposing a new Midtown toll, while MTA officials counter the issue has been extensively and the claims of skirting the law are hot air.