Trucking companies top list of debtors as NYS Thruway looks to collect “every single dollar” owed to tolls

Trucking companies are the main target in the New York State Thruway’s campaign to collect “every single dollar” owed by debtors who evade tolls. 

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.  

According to Democrat and Chronicle, trucking companies who evade tolls do so by allowing their trucks 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 “ghost plates.”

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.

“When it comes down to it, those who are not paying are thieves,” said Frank Hoare, the Thruway’s executive director. “They’re stealing from us. And it’s really not that different from going into a store and shoplifting. They’re using our system and not paying.”

“That 4%, they are persistent and egregious toll evaders,” Hoare said. “We’re not going after somebody who misses their monthly payment. We’re talking about people who run up big numbers.”

“We want to collect every single dollar not only because of the need to invest those toll dollars in the system but also it’s just not fair to the vast majority who are paying,” Hoare said.