NYC truckers, delivery companies may run into bigger parking fines

Truckers in New York could face stiffer parking fines despite a program in place that discounts parking summonses. The proposed modification of the program is an attempt to solve congestion issues in the Big Apple while also increasing revenue.

For the past several years, some companies in the city have participated in a program that allows them to receive discounts on parking summonses. According to Ken Thorpe, CEO of the New York Trucking and Delivery Association, this has been a win-win situation for companies and the city.

“The city saves millions of dollars annually because of these programs by reducing the number of hearings needed to be processed at great cost,” Thorpe said. “There are no net profits to the city when tickets are adjudicated by hearings, and the costs to delivery companies, especially small business, is high.”

However, the benefits of the program could change later this year. If changes are made, companies enrolled in the program will have to fork over money for fines they previously avoided. Currently, companies in the program do not have to pay for double-parking summonses. Under proposed changes, those companies will have to pay a $65 fine. A $100 obstructing traffic fine under the program will cost $115.

“With fighting congestion such a high priority, we had growing concerns that commercial vehicle parking programs that dramatically reduced fines for certain violations – including double parking or exceeding metered time limits – were inadvertently encouraging bad traffic behavior,” said Michael Replogle, deputy commissioner for policy at the New York City Department of Transportation. “We believe that relatively modest changes to these programs can boost a culture of compliance and get traffic moving.

“Even with reduced fine discounts, these voluntary programs will continue to save money for many companies, because contesting each ticket is costly and also because clearer traffic rules will mean fewer tickets will be successfully challenged. We expect these changes will cut congestion and help those delivery businesses that play by the rules.”

Earlier this week, Thorpe met with representatives of the NYC Department of Finance and the NYC DOT, as well as the deputy commissioner of the NYC Department of Finance, Treasury and Payment Services. According to Thorpe, progress was made in working with the city about proposed changes to the parking program.

Thorpe told the representatives that proposed changes will only affect participants and consequently create an unfair financial burden on one class of delivery and service providers. He also told the group that proposed changes will do nothing to affect congestion, considering goods will still need to be delivered regardless.

After the meeting, Thorpe said he walked away “with the belief and trust” that a solution that will benefit all parties will be found.

“My goal is to protect the delivery and service industry here in NYC be they small, medium or large firms,” Thorpe said. “I am particularly concerned about small business and owner-operators who seem to get the short end of the stick more often than not.”