New York has agreed to pay $14 million dollars to settle what one trucking group executive called a “massive parking ticket scandal” which was used as part of an allegedly illegal revenue-raising scheme.
In 2004, New York instituted the Stipulated Fine Program, a little-known program which allowed carriers to pay an upfront fee to be exempt from certain parking violations and receive reduced fines for others. It worked well for two years until authorities started to find new ways to issue tickets to companies for infractions that should have been covered by the program.
In New York City for example, double parking was allowed under the program as long as it was for picking up/dropping off and met a few other requirements. So instead of writing a ticket for being double parked, enforcement agents started writing tickets for obstructing a traffic lane.
The kicker was that as part of the program, carriers waived their right to contest any ticket or fine with a hearing.
So in 2011, the New York Trucking and Delivery Association filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of all drivers and carriers who were hit with fines which they claim should have been covered under the program. They claimed that New York was deliberately engaging in a “revenue raising-scheme,” using carrier’s inability to contest fines as a free pass to issue as many as they wanted.
According to the lawsuit, over 60,000 tickets should never have been issued – tickets which resulted in over $5 million in fees.
New York has agreed to settle the lawsuit for $14 million, but does not admit any wrongdoing. The settlement must still be approved by a judge.
Source: washingtontimes, huffingtonpost, nydailynews, nypost
Duane says
Oh, yes, all of new York city is a scam. Except 43rd street. Next to the red lobster, only place I know that has a spot for trucks.
everywhere else is no stopping, no standing, bus lane, bike lane. I stated to the police,” I’m not parking I’m delivering.” He wasn’t impressed.
. The cars seem to be able to park anywhere, no tickets. But the second I get parked, and lower my lift gate, Bam! Three tickets. One for parking, one for standing and one for having your lift gate down, Seriously?
I told them it makes me want to get a plane and put it into one of their buildings, no response.
However that joke kills in New Jersey.
EZmule says
I’m a New Yorker. I hate it here. If it wasn’t for the wife; I’d be long gone. The whole thing, is a scam. This is just how, NY works. I wonder how many drivers were faced paying the tickets. I wonder if the company would reimburse the driver
Acajoe says
New York City deliveries incur a 300 charge per stop. Otherwise , come pick it up in Newark.
Sandy says
Simple solution…stop delivering there. When they run out of food and toilet paper maybe they will think twice when they have to run to a neighboring state for their supplies
Andrew says
In the 5 years of over the road, I only delivered to NYC once. That’s all it took for me to realize how much that place sucks to truck in. Boycotted it, even as a company driver.
Michael says
I here all this about how bad your treated Well it’s a easy fix I mean really don’t go in there I quit going in there i guess been abut 4 years a go not going back let all of them starve so you really don’t need to complain if you go in there just deal with it
Brandon McAuley says
You know its bad when even all the bottom feeding companies are either “No forced NYC dispatch” or premium NY/NJ pay or both.
The problem is the same as it is anywhere else. Get one truck to stop under cutting the other and maybe you could end up with some solidarity and force real change. Otherwise dont bother to complain.
Thats why Im glad to be a Teamster. Im gonna end up with no pension whatsoever (lol sad face) but if somethings not right on the workplace, work stops until its corrected.
Drivers If you’re not unionized or just in a poor union, you’ll never be treated properly. Stop spiting each other and effect real change in our industry.
JJ says
I go into NYC to deliver or pickup like 4 times a year. Easy solution, they let you park or don’t pickup their sh-it nor deliver it anymore. They get the message after 24 hrs. Problem is, the scrum sucking few companies will continue doing so for the hello hole. You squeeze them out, after they get nothing in nor nothing out, let see how long it takes to drop their stupid parking regs.
Infosaur says
I got popped with the stupid liftgate ticket. We just bill the customer.
Everytime I DON’T get a ticket is company profit, which is why my boss loves my ability to get in and out of Manhattan like a ninja.
Ken Thorpe says
FYI – Judge issued final judgment last week. The settlement is now final. This one is for all you guys and ladies out there doing the good work, delivering everything we all depend upon.