The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reported a significant increase in its toll evasion enforcement efforts in 2024, issuing over 7,000 summonses. This marked a 27% rise from the previous year as part of an intensified crackdown on toll cheats.
In total, 7,543 toll evasion-related summonses were issued last year. The majority involved unclear or missing license plates, while others addressed suspended registrations, fictitious plates, and general toll evasion. Including other traffic offenses like speeding, nearly 17,000 summonses were handed out during the agency's operations.
Financially, the agency recovered $18 million in unpaid tolls and fees. In addition to this monetary recovery, authorities impounded 850 vehicles due to registration issues and made 90 arrests related to toll evasion. An additional 106 arrests were made for various other charges during these operations.
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole credited law enforcement's efforts alongside new technologies for achieving these results: “This unprecedented total of more than 7,000 summonses in 2024 is due in large part to the tireless work of our law enforcement along with the advanced technologies and novel strategies we’ve implemented to make sure everyone is paying their fair share on our roads.”
Executive Director Rick Cotton emphasized the importance of compliance: “Toll evaders are not only breaking the law by avoiding their legal obligations on our roads, but they’re depriving our infrastructure of much-needed funds for maintenance and upgrades.” He added that this record number of summonses sends a clear message about the priority placed on toll enforcement.
Police Superintendent Edward Cetnar praised his department's dedication: “Surpassing 7,000 summonses issued in 2024 is a credit to the men and women of the Port Authority Police Department... We will catch you, and you will pay.”
The Port Authority has invested in technology such as license plate readers at crossings to identify violators. Persistent offenders face consequences including vehicle impoundment and civil litigation for unpaid tolls. Motorists can avoid penalties by using E-ZPass for timely payments.
