Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in South Jamaica?
Blood on the Crosswalk: South Jamaica Pays for City Hall’s Inaction
South Jamaica: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 11, 2025
The Toll in South Jamaica
The streets of South Jamaica do not forgive. Since 2022, three people have died and 631 have been injured in crashes here. Eight of those injuries were serious. The numbers do not tell you about the silence after the sirens fade. They do not show you the blood on the crosswalk or the shoes left behind.
Cars and SUVs did most of the harm. They killed one person and injured over eighty more. Trucks, buses, motorcycles, mopeds, and bikes added to the count. The dead and wounded are not just numbers. They are neighbors, children, workers, elders.
Recent Crashes: No End in Sight
The violence does not stop. In the last year alone, one person died and 199 were injured in 318 crashes. A 45-year-old woman was killed crossing at 158th Street and 111th Avenue by an SUV. The cause: driver inattention. She died at the intersection, her life ended by a moment’s distraction (NYC Open Data).
A 50-year-old cyclist was crushed by a sedan on Liberty Avenue. The driver was not paying attention. The cyclist survived, but with crushed legs and a future changed forever (NYC Open Data).
Voices from the Wreckage
The pain is not abstract. It is sharp and real. After a crash in Queens Village, a passenger recalled, “We didn’t see the crane coming… then the crane just hits us.” She added, “I was holding on for my life back there.”
After a deadly crash on the Belt Parkway, a survivor said, “They went airborne and into the barrier.”
Leadership: Steps Forward, Steps Back
Local leaders have passed some laws to help. Council Member Nantasha Williams voted to legalize jaywalking, ending a policy that punished the vulnerable instead of protecting them (These are new traffic laws in New York slated for 2025). She co-sponsored bills for better lighting, safer crossings, and more reporting on police vehicle crashes (File Int 0079-2024). But too many bills sit stalled in committee. Promises wait in the dark while people die in the street.
The Call
This is not fate. This is policy. Every crash is a choice made by those in power. Call your council member. Demand real change. Demand slower speeds, safer crossings, and streets built for people, not just cars. Do not wait for another name to be added to the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
▸ Where does South Jamaica sit politically?
▸ What types of vehicles caused injuries and deaths to pedestrians in South Jamaica?
▸ Are these crashes just accidents, or are they preventable?
▸ What can local politicians do to stop traffic violence?
▸ What is CrashCount?
▸ How many people have been killed or seriously injured in South Jamaica since 2022?
▸ What recent steps has Council Member Nantasha Williams taken on traffic safety?
Citations
▸ Citations
- Crane Slams Into Bus In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-07-08
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781816 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-11
- Crane Slams Into Bus In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-07-08
- BMW Crash Hurls Passengers, Sparks Fire, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-09
- Chain-Reaction Crash Kills Two On Belt Parkway, amny, Published 2025-07-10
- E-Bike Battery Blast Kills Woman In Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-07-09
- Teen Dies Falling From 7 Train, amny, Published 2025-07-08
- File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08
- Pain Points: Victims of Road Violence Make Annual Pilgrimage to Demand Safe Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-14
- These are new traffic laws in New York slated for 2025, amny.com, Published 2024-12-31
- #StuckAtDOT: It Takes Years (and Years) to Get a Speed Hump in this City, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-11-11
- Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Will Cost Area Companies Billions, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24
Other Representatives
District 32
142-15 Rockaway Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11436
Room 939, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
District 28
165-90 Baisley Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11434
718-206-2068
250 Broadway, Suite 1810, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7257
District 14
113-43 Farmers Blvd., St. Albans, NY 11412
Room 913, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
▸ Other Geographies
South Jamaica South Jamaica sits in Queens, Precinct 103, District 28, AD 32, SD 14, Queens CB12.
▸ See also
Traffic Safety Timeline for South Jamaica
S 3897Comrie votes yes to require safer complete street designs, improving safety.▸Senate passed S 3897. More state cash flows to cities that build complete streets. Lawmakers push for safer roads. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at survival.
Bill S 3897 cleared the Senate committee on March 2, 2022, with a final vote on May 25, 2022. The bill, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' boosts state funding for transportation projects when cities add complete street features. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Senators including Cooney, Gallivan, Kaminsky, Kaplan, Liu, and others voted yes. The measure aims to tie state money to safer street design, pushing municipalities to build roads that protect people outside cars.
-
File S 3897,
Open States,
Published 2022-03-02
S 5130Comrie votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.
Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.
-
File S 5130,
Open States,
Published 2022-03-02
S 5130Sanders supports committee progress on complete streets bill improving road safety.▸Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.
Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.
-
File S 5130,
Open States,
Published 2022-03-02
Dump Truck Rear-Ends SUV on Liberty Avenue▸A dump truck slammed into the back of an SUV on Liberty Avenue in Queens. The SUV’s front passenger, a 57-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash was caused by the truck driver following too closely and ignoring traffic controls.
According to the police report, a dump truck traveling east on Liberty Avenue rear-ended a station wagon/SUV also heading east. The front passenger in the SUV, a 57-year-old woman, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists the contributing factors as "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Following Too Closely," both attributed to the dump truck driver. The point of impact was the center front end of the dump truck striking the center back end of the SUV. No ejections occurred. The driver of the dump truck failed to maintain a safe distance and disregarded traffic controls, leading to the collision.
Comrie Calls for No Exemptions in Congestion Pricing▸Governor Hochul’s budget cracks down on toll cheats. New laws hit drivers who hide plates or fake exemptions. The MTA loses millions to evasion. Lawmakers debate fairness and credits. Enforcement sharpens. Revenue for transit hangs in the balance.
Bill 42, part of Governor Hochul’s 2022 executive budget, aims to enforce congestion pricing by introducing new penalties for toll evasion. The proposal, discussed in the Senate on January 20, 2022, lets the DMV deny registration to vehicles with unpaid tolls and sets fines up to $5,000 for fraudulent exemption claims. The matter summary states: 'Governor Kathy Hochul's executive budget includes several changes to New York's congestion pricing program, which is expected to provide crucial revenue for transit upgrades.' Senator James Skoufis, mentioned in the hearing, pushed for credits for certain drivers. The bill is supported by MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick and Governor Hochul’s office, who say it will ensure fairness. The MTA reports $4 million lost annually to toll evaders. The review board will finalize fee structures and exemptions. No specific safety impact for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Hochul Paves Way Forward For Congestion Pricing With New Laws And Penalties for Toll Evaders,
gothamist.com,
Published 2022-01-20
Comrie Opposes Exemptions to Safety Boosting Congestion Pricing▸State Sen. Leroy Comrie slammed calls for more congestion pricing exemptions. He warned that carving out special breaks guts the plan’s purpose. Comrie said every exemption means less money for transit. He wants the city to hold the line. No more carve-outs.
On January 19, 2022, State Sen. Leroy Comrie, chair of the MTA committee, spoke at a legislative hearing on congestion pricing exemptions. The hearing addressed whether to grant more carve-outs to Manhattan’s congestion tolls. Comrie declared, 'I don't think there should be any exemptions, and I'm going to continue to say that there should be no exemptions.' He pushed back against senators seeking discounts for suburban drivers and city workers. Comrie warned that opening the door to more exemptions would undermine the law’s intent and threaten revenue for transit. He said, 'Once you open up that can of worms, you create major problems, because everybody wants to be exempted for something.' Comrie’s stance: keep the plan strict, protect transit funding, and don’t weaken congestion pricing with special favors.
-
State Sen. Leroy Comrie, who oversees MTA committee, wants no more exemptions for NYC congestion pricing,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-01-19
Senate passed S 3897. More state cash flows to cities that build complete streets. Lawmakers push for safer roads. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at survival.
Bill S 3897 cleared the Senate committee on March 2, 2022, with a final vote on May 25, 2022. The bill, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' boosts state funding for transportation projects when cities add complete street features. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Senators including Cooney, Gallivan, Kaminsky, Kaplan, Liu, and others voted yes. The measure aims to tie state money to safer street design, pushing municipalities to build roads that protect people outside cars.
- File S 3897, Open States, Published 2022-03-02
S 5130Comrie votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.
Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.
-
File S 5130,
Open States,
Published 2022-03-02
S 5130Sanders supports committee progress on complete streets bill improving road safety.▸Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.
Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.
-
File S 5130,
Open States,
Published 2022-03-02
Dump Truck Rear-Ends SUV on Liberty Avenue▸A dump truck slammed into the back of an SUV on Liberty Avenue in Queens. The SUV’s front passenger, a 57-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash was caused by the truck driver following too closely and ignoring traffic controls.
According to the police report, a dump truck traveling east on Liberty Avenue rear-ended a station wagon/SUV also heading east. The front passenger in the SUV, a 57-year-old woman, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists the contributing factors as "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Following Too Closely," both attributed to the dump truck driver. The point of impact was the center front end of the dump truck striking the center back end of the SUV. No ejections occurred. The driver of the dump truck failed to maintain a safe distance and disregarded traffic controls, leading to the collision.
Comrie Calls for No Exemptions in Congestion Pricing▸Governor Hochul’s budget cracks down on toll cheats. New laws hit drivers who hide plates or fake exemptions. The MTA loses millions to evasion. Lawmakers debate fairness and credits. Enforcement sharpens. Revenue for transit hangs in the balance.
Bill 42, part of Governor Hochul’s 2022 executive budget, aims to enforce congestion pricing by introducing new penalties for toll evasion. The proposal, discussed in the Senate on January 20, 2022, lets the DMV deny registration to vehicles with unpaid tolls and sets fines up to $5,000 for fraudulent exemption claims. The matter summary states: 'Governor Kathy Hochul's executive budget includes several changes to New York's congestion pricing program, which is expected to provide crucial revenue for transit upgrades.' Senator James Skoufis, mentioned in the hearing, pushed for credits for certain drivers. The bill is supported by MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick and Governor Hochul’s office, who say it will ensure fairness. The MTA reports $4 million lost annually to toll evaders. The review board will finalize fee structures and exemptions. No specific safety impact for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Hochul Paves Way Forward For Congestion Pricing With New Laws And Penalties for Toll Evaders,
gothamist.com,
Published 2022-01-20
Comrie Opposes Exemptions to Safety Boosting Congestion Pricing▸State Sen. Leroy Comrie slammed calls for more congestion pricing exemptions. He warned that carving out special breaks guts the plan’s purpose. Comrie said every exemption means less money for transit. He wants the city to hold the line. No more carve-outs.
On January 19, 2022, State Sen. Leroy Comrie, chair of the MTA committee, spoke at a legislative hearing on congestion pricing exemptions. The hearing addressed whether to grant more carve-outs to Manhattan’s congestion tolls. Comrie declared, 'I don't think there should be any exemptions, and I'm going to continue to say that there should be no exemptions.' He pushed back against senators seeking discounts for suburban drivers and city workers. Comrie warned that opening the door to more exemptions would undermine the law’s intent and threaten revenue for transit. He said, 'Once you open up that can of worms, you create major problems, because everybody wants to be exempted for something.' Comrie’s stance: keep the plan strict, protect transit funding, and don’t weaken congestion pricing with special favors.
-
State Sen. Leroy Comrie, who oversees MTA committee, wants no more exemptions for NYC congestion pricing,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-01-19
Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.
Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.
- File S 5130, Open States, Published 2022-03-02
S 5130Sanders supports committee progress on complete streets bill improving road safety.▸Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.
Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.
-
File S 5130,
Open States,
Published 2022-03-02
Dump Truck Rear-Ends SUV on Liberty Avenue▸A dump truck slammed into the back of an SUV on Liberty Avenue in Queens. The SUV’s front passenger, a 57-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash was caused by the truck driver following too closely and ignoring traffic controls.
According to the police report, a dump truck traveling east on Liberty Avenue rear-ended a station wagon/SUV also heading east. The front passenger in the SUV, a 57-year-old woman, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists the contributing factors as "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Following Too Closely," both attributed to the dump truck driver. The point of impact was the center front end of the dump truck striking the center back end of the SUV. No ejections occurred. The driver of the dump truck failed to maintain a safe distance and disregarded traffic controls, leading to the collision.
Comrie Calls for No Exemptions in Congestion Pricing▸Governor Hochul’s budget cracks down on toll cheats. New laws hit drivers who hide plates or fake exemptions. The MTA loses millions to evasion. Lawmakers debate fairness and credits. Enforcement sharpens. Revenue for transit hangs in the balance.
Bill 42, part of Governor Hochul’s 2022 executive budget, aims to enforce congestion pricing by introducing new penalties for toll evasion. The proposal, discussed in the Senate on January 20, 2022, lets the DMV deny registration to vehicles with unpaid tolls and sets fines up to $5,000 for fraudulent exemption claims. The matter summary states: 'Governor Kathy Hochul's executive budget includes several changes to New York's congestion pricing program, which is expected to provide crucial revenue for transit upgrades.' Senator James Skoufis, mentioned in the hearing, pushed for credits for certain drivers. The bill is supported by MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick and Governor Hochul’s office, who say it will ensure fairness. The MTA reports $4 million lost annually to toll evaders. The review board will finalize fee structures and exemptions. No specific safety impact for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Hochul Paves Way Forward For Congestion Pricing With New Laws And Penalties for Toll Evaders,
gothamist.com,
Published 2022-01-20
Comrie Opposes Exemptions to Safety Boosting Congestion Pricing▸State Sen. Leroy Comrie slammed calls for more congestion pricing exemptions. He warned that carving out special breaks guts the plan’s purpose. Comrie said every exemption means less money for transit. He wants the city to hold the line. No more carve-outs.
On January 19, 2022, State Sen. Leroy Comrie, chair of the MTA committee, spoke at a legislative hearing on congestion pricing exemptions. The hearing addressed whether to grant more carve-outs to Manhattan’s congestion tolls. Comrie declared, 'I don't think there should be any exemptions, and I'm going to continue to say that there should be no exemptions.' He pushed back against senators seeking discounts for suburban drivers and city workers. Comrie warned that opening the door to more exemptions would undermine the law’s intent and threaten revenue for transit. He said, 'Once you open up that can of worms, you create major problems, because everybody wants to be exempted for something.' Comrie’s stance: keep the plan strict, protect transit funding, and don’t weaken congestion pricing with special favors.
-
State Sen. Leroy Comrie, who oversees MTA committee, wants no more exemptions for NYC congestion pricing,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-01-19
Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.
Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.
- File S 5130, Open States, Published 2022-03-02
Dump Truck Rear-Ends SUV on Liberty Avenue▸A dump truck slammed into the back of an SUV on Liberty Avenue in Queens. The SUV’s front passenger, a 57-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash was caused by the truck driver following too closely and ignoring traffic controls.
According to the police report, a dump truck traveling east on Liberty Avenue rear-ended a station wagon/SUV also heading east. The front passenger in the SUV, a 57-year-old woman, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists the contributing factors as "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Following Too Closely," both attributed to the dump truck driver. The point of impact was the center front end of the dump truck striking the center back end of the SUV. No ejections occurred. The driver of the dump truck failed to maintain a safe distance and disregarded traffic controls, leading to the collision.
Comrie Calls for No Exemptions in Congestion Pricing▸Governor Hochul’s budget cracks down on toll cheats. New laws hit drivers who hide plates or fake exemptions. The MTA loses millions to evasion. Lawmakers debate fairness and credits. Enforcement sharpens. Revenue for transit hangs in the balance.
Bill 42, part of Governor Hochul’s 2022 executive budget, aims to enforce congestion pricing by introducing new penalties for toll evasion. The proposal, discussed in the Senate on January 20, 2022, lets the DMV deny registration to vehicles with unpaid tolls and sets fines up to $5,000 for fraudulent exemption claims. The matter summary states: 'Governor Kathy Hochul's executive budget includes several changes to New York's congestion pricing program, which is expected to provide crucial revenue for transit upgrades.' Senator James Skoufis, mentioned in the hearing, pushed for credits for certain drivers. The bill is supported by MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick and Governor Hochul’s office, who say it will ensure fairness. The MTA reports $4 million lost annually to toll evaders. The review board will finalize fee structures and exemptions. No specific safety impact for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Hochul Paves Way Forward For Congestion Pricing With New Laws And Penalties for Toll Evaders,
gothamist.com,
Published 2022-01-20
Comrie Opposes Exemptions to Safety Boosting Congestion Pricing▸State Sen. Leroy Comrie slammed calls for more congestion pricing exemptions. He warned that carving out special breaks guts the plan’s purpose. Comrie said every exemption means less money for transit. He wants the city to hold the line. No more carve-outs.
On January 19, 2022, State Sen. Leroy Comrie, chair of the MTA committee, spoke at a legislative hearing on congestion pricing exemptions. The hearing addressed whether to grant more carve-outs to Manhattan’s congestion tolls. Comrie declared, 'I don't think there should be any exemptions, and I'm going to continue to say that there should be no exemptions.' He pushed back against senators seeking discounts for suburban drivers and city workers. Comrie warned that opening the door to more exemptions would undermine the law’s intent and threaten revenue for transit. He said, 'Once you open up that can of worms, you create major problems, because everybody wants to be exempted for something.' Comrie’s stance: keep the plan strict, protect transit funding, and don’t weaken congestion pricing with special favors.
-
State Sen. Leroy Comrie, who oversees MTA committee, wants no more exemptions for NYC congestion pricing,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-01-19
A dump truck slammed into the back of an SUV on Liberty Avenue in Queens. The SUV’s front passenger, a 57-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash was caused by the truck driver following too closely and ignoring traffic controls.
According to the police report, a dump truck traveling east on Liberty Avenue rear-ended a station wagon/SUV also heading east. The front passenger in the SUV, a 57-year-old woman, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists the contributing factors as "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Following Too Closely," both attributed to the dump truck driver. The point of impact was the center front end of the dump truck striking the center back end of the SUV. No ejections occurred. The driver of the dump truck failed to maintain a safe distance and disregarded traffic controls, leading to the collision.
Comrie Calls for No Exemptions in Congestion Pricing▸Governor Hochul’s budget cracks down on toll cheats. New laws hit drivers who hide plates or fake exemptions. The MTA loses millions to evasion. Lawmakers debate fairness and credits. Enforcement sharpens. Revenue for transit hangs in the balance.
Bill 42, part of Governor Hochul’s 2022 executive budget, aims to enforce congestion pricing by introducing new penalties for toll evasion. The proposal, discussed in the Senate on January 20, 2022, lets the DMV deny registration to vehicles with unpaid tolls and sets fines up to $5,000 for fraudulent exemption claims. The matter summary states: 'Governor Kathy Hochul's executive budget includes several changes to New York's congestion pricing program, which is expected to provide crucial revenue for transit upgrades.' Senator James Skoufis, mentioned in the hearing, pushed for credits for certain drivers. The bill is supported by MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick and Governor Hochul’s office, who say it will ensure fairness. The MTA reports $4 million lost annually to toll evaders. The review board will finalize fee structures and exemptions. No specific safety impact for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Hochul Paves Way Forward For Congestion Pricing With New Laws And Penalties for Toll Evaders,
gothamist.com,
Published 2022-01-20
Comrie Opposes Exemptions to Safety Boosting Congestion Pricing▸State Sen. Leroy Comrie slammed calls for more congestion pricing exemptions. He warned that carving out special breaks guts the plan’s purpose. Comrie said every exemption means less money for transit. He wants the city to hold the line. No more carve-outs.
On January 19, 2022, State Sen. Leroy Comrie, chair of the MTA committee, spoke at a legislative hearing on congestion pricing exemptions. The hearing addressed whether to grant more carve-outs to Manhattan’s congestion tolls. Comrie declared, 'I don't think there should be any exemptions, and I'm going to continue to say that there should be no exemptions.' He pushed back against senators seeking discounts for suburban drivers and city workers. Comrie warned that opening the door to more exemptions would undermine the law’s intent and threaten revenue for transit. He said, 'Once you open up that can of worms, you create major problems, because everybody wants to be exempted for something.' Comrie’s stance: keep the plan strict, protect transit funding, and don’t weaken congestion pricing with special favors.
-
State Sen. Leroy Comrie, who oversees MTA committee, wants no more exemptions for NYC congestion pricing,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-01-19
Governor Hochul’s budget cracks down on toll cheats. New laws hit drivers who hide plates or fake exemptions. The MTA loses millions to evasion. Lawmakers debate fairness and credits. Enforcement sharpens. Revenue for transit hangs in the balance.
Bill 42, part of Governor Hochul’s 2022 executive budget, aims to enforce congestion pricing by introducing new penalties for toll evasion. The proposal, discussed in the Senate on January 20, 2022, lets the DMV deny registration to vehicles with unpaid tolls and sets fines up to $5,000 for fraudulent exemption claims. The matter summary states: 'Governor Kathy Hochul's executive budget includes several changes to New York's congestion pricing program, which is expected to provide crucial revenue for transit upgrades.' Senator James Skoufis, mentioned in the hearing, pushed for credits for certain drivers. The bill is supported by MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick and Governor Hochul’s office, who say it will ensure fairness. The MTA reports $4 million lost annually to toll evaders. The review board will finalize fee structures and exemptions. No specific safety impact for vulnerable road users was provided.
- Hochul Paves Way Forward For Congestion Pricing With New Laws And Penalties for Toll Evaders, gothamist.com, Published 2022-01-20
Comrie Opposes Exemptions to Safety Boosting Congestion Pricing▸State Sen. Leroy Comrie slammed calls for more congestion pricing exemptions. He warned that carving out special breaks guts the plan’s purpose. Comrie said every exemption means less money for transit. He wants the city to hold the line. No more carve-outs.
On January 19, 2022, State Sen. Leroy Comrie, chair of the MTA committee, spoke at a legislative hearing on congestion pricing exemptions. The hearing addressed whether to grant more carve-outs to Manhattan’s congestion tolls. Comrie declared, 'I don't think there should be any exemptions, and I'm going to continue to say that there should be no exemptions.' He pushed back against senators seeking discounts for suburban drivers and city workers. Comrie warned that opening the door to more exemptions would undermine the law’s intent and threaten revenue for transit. He said, 'Once you open up that can of worms, you create major problems, because everybody wants to be exempted for something.' Comrie’s stance: keep the plan strict, protect transit funding, and don’t weaken congestion pricing with special favors.
-
State Sen. Leroy Comrie, who oversees MTA committee, wants no more exemptions for NYC congestion pricing,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-01-19
State Sen. Leroy Comrie slammed calls for more congestion pricing exemptions. He warned that carving out special breaks guts the plan’s purpose. Comrie said every exemption means less money for transit. He wants the city to hold the line. No more carve-outs.
On January 19, 2022, State Sen. Leroy Comrie, chair of the MTA committee, spoke at a legislative hearing on congestion pricing exemptions. The hearing addressed whether to grant more carve-outs to Manhattan’s congestion tolls. Comrie declared, 'I don't think there should be any exemptions, and I'm going to continue to say that there should be no exemptions.' He pushed back against senators seeking discounts for suburban drivers and city workers. Comrie warned that opening the door to more exemptions would undermine the law’s intent and threaten revenue for transit. He said, 'Once you open up that can of worms, you create major problems, because everybody wants to be exempted for something.' Comrie’s stance: keep the plan strict, protect transit funding, and don’t weaken congestion pricing with special favors.
- State Sen. Leroy Comrie, who oversees MTA committee, wants no more exemptions for NYC congestion pricing, nypost.com, Published 2022-01-19