TikTok ‘hack’ shows risky maneuver to avoid $15 congestion pricing fee

Deirdre Bardolf
·2 min read
A collage of a street scene featuring cars and buildings, parking garages
A collage of a street scene featuring cars and buildings, parking garages

That will take a toll!

Some drivers are so desperate to evade congestion pricing, they might be willing to endanger lives to bypass toll cameras.

Video shared to social media this week exposed a potential hack to beat the toll camera on West End Avenue by cutting through a parking garage with an entrance on 60th Street and an exit on 61st Street.

A TikTok video revealed a potential but illegal hack that drivers could use to evade congestion pricing toll cameras. Michael Nagle
A TikTok video revealed a potential but illegal hack that drivers could use to evade congestion pricing toll cameras. Michael Nagle
Toll cameras are in place on West End Avenue for drivers crossing over 60th Street into the congestion pricing zone, which is expected to be in effect in June. Michael Nagle
Toll cameras are in place on West End Avenue for drivers crossing over 60th Street into the congestion pricing zone, which is expected to be in effect in June. Michael Nagle

“I just avoided the toll in New York City,” the narrator, whose voice was disguised, said giggling as he drove through the Upper West Side garage.

The driver, however, filmed himself leaving the congestion pricing zone, which could go into effect as soon as June 15.

If a driver goes the opposite way, making a left onto 61st Street and cutting through the garage, they can seemingly skirt the camera successfully.

That comes with a big catch: having to go the wrong way through the one-way, one lane parking garage, potentially resulting in a head-to-head face-off.

The Sessanta Garage on the Upper West Side cuts from 60th Street to 61st Street. Michael Nagle
The Sessanta Garage on the Upper West Side cuts from 60th Street to 61st Street. Michael Nagle

The congestion pricing plan will charge passenger cars $15 and commercial trucks $24 to $36 during peak hours if they enter Manhattan at 60th Street or below.

Opponents bash the move as a toll on working-class drivers, particularly in the outer boroughs or other parts of the tri-state area that lack adequate public transportation.

Gov. Hochul included in her budget proposal a measure that would allow cops to charge fare evaders with Class A misdemeanor toll theft.

Advocates claim the new toll would provide funds for much-needed improvements and cut down on traffic. Michael Nagle
Advocates claim the new toll would provide funds for much-needed improvements and cut down on traffic. Michael Nagle

The controversial plan is in federal court this week as New Jersey seeks to block the measure.

Some people admonished the TikToker for sharing the video, saying he should have kept it a secret. “I park in that garage … I thought I was the only one who knew,” said one commenter.

The loophole will be “patched up” in no time, others predicted.