By: Jordan Baker

A Bronx resident, fed up with mounting E-ZPass toll fees and penalties, has launched an online petition demanding reform in the tolling system, including congestion pricing. The petition has rapidly gained traction, amassing over 7,000 signatures, according to the New York Post.

Joel Becerra, a longtime Bronx resident and the petition’s organizer, told the Post that he started the initiative after grappling with exorbitant late fees and penalties imposed by E-ZPass. He described the system as “legal extortion,” citing fees that can quickly spiral into thousands of dollars. “The absurd amount of tolls, violations, and fees that E-ZPass charges—it’s just wrong,” Becerra told the Post.

The petition outlines several key demands, including an independent review of congestion pricing, transparency in toll allocation, and a fair pricing system to prevent surprise fees and excessive penalties. “It makes you feel hopeless,” Becerra lamented, explaining how late fees often compound before drivers are even notified.

Mounting Frustration Over Late Fees

Some of the petition’s supporters shared their struggles with E-ZPass fees, with several falling into debt due to late penalties. Freddy Cordova, a 46-year-old New Jersey worker, told the New York Post that his monthly E-ZPass bills often exceed $300. “Bills can accrue without you actually noticing,” said motorist Nico Dancona. He recounted how a backlog of payments once left him with $1,200 in overdue fees.

Becerra himself has faced similar challenges, recounting how a $100 missed toll snowballed into over $1,000 due to late charges. He also criticized the delay in notifications, which often leaves drivers unaware of their debts until penalties accumulate. “One of the things they do is they wait,” Becerra told the Post, adding that license-plate readers sometimes fail, resulting in erroneous charges.

Critics of congestion pricing, which charges drivers for entering Midtown Manhattan, see it as yet another financial burden. Becerra and others argue that the new toll system disproportionately affects working-class individuals. “You’re going to spend at least $400 to $1,000 per month if you’re commuting regularly,” Becerra told the Post. For him, the subway isn’t a viable alternative, as it triples his travel time to visit his girlfriend in Queens.

The Post noted that the petition also calls for greater oversight of how toll revenue is spent. Supporters argue that the funds should go toward improving public transit rather than placing additional financial strain on drivers.

The New York Post reported that a proposed state bill, the Toll Payer Protection Act, sought to cap late fees and provide relief to drivers. However, the measure has repeatedly failed to pass under both former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Governor Kathy Hochul. In a 2022 statement, Hochul argued the bill would undermine the financial stability of the state’s transportation infrastructure.

Becerra has yet to receive a response from either the mayor’s or governor’s office regarding the petition. However, he plans to involve lawyers and advocacy groups to push for meaningful reform. Increased transportation costs are making residents like Becerra reconsider their future in New York City. “This is one of the best cities in the world, and it shouldn’t be like this,” Becerra told the Post.

For now, Becerra remains determined to fight what he and many others see as an unfair system. “I love New York,” he said, “but you do what you got to do to make sure that the living situation is right for your family and for yourself.”