In a bid to reduce air pollution and noise, a proposed New York City Council bill could lead to truck and bus drivers paying more for idling their vehicles for more than three minutes.
Vehicle idling contributes to air pollution and has been linked to cardiovascular health problems. As a result, lawmakers are proposing significantly higher fines.
The proposed bill will also prevent buses from idling at any terminal point along an established route if the temperature is above 40 degrees.
New York City residents can even report idling cases if they witness a bus or a truck idling for more than three minutes.
Fine for Third Infraction Goes Up to $6,000
According to a report by Pix11, under the proposed legislation introduced by City Council Speaker Julie Menin, truck and bus operators caught idling in New York City would face significantly steeper fines.
Under the current rules, vehicles that idle for more than three minutes in New York City can be fined between $350 and $2,000, according to the city’s 311 service.
Now, though, under the proposed bill, fines would start at $1,000 to $2,000 for a first violation, increase to as much as $4,000 for a second offense, and reach up to $6,000 for subsequent violations.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said the enforcement effort is aimed at reducing air and noise pollution, particularly in residential neighborhoods, as part of the state’s broader environmental initiative.
New York City residents who spot a vehicle idling for more than three minutes or more than one minute near a school can report the violation through the Citizens Air Complaint Program and may be eligible for a financial reward.
The New York City Council bill to raise idling fines is scheduled to be introduced by the Committee on Environmental Protection and Waterfronts on Oct. 20.
What About Passenger Cars?
According to a report on the NYC Department of Environmental Protection website, citizens cannot file a complaint against a passenger car. The law applies only to trucks and buses, specifically the following:
- Trucks that are designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property as defined in the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law and 34 RCNY 4-01. This would include a van that primarily transports property.
- Buses that have a seating capacity of 15 or more passengers in addition to the driver and are used for the transportation of persons.
However, certain trucks are exempt from the idling restrictions when their engines are needed to operate equipment such as lift gates during active loading or unloading, or to power approved processing devices.