Upstate NY Drivers Targeted in New DMV Fee Proposal

The New York Public Transit Association has proposed a new fee on upstate New York car registrations.

If you live in Upstate New York and own your own vehicle, you are well aware that it's expensive to register a vehicle. Most of us currently pay between $100 and $200+ for the first two years, depending on the vehicle's weight, fuel type, and the county you live in. That fee could be going up soon, as some New York lawmakers are proposing adding a twenty-five-dollar annual fee on car registrations in Upstate New York.

New DMV Fee for Upstate New Yorkers

Last week, select New York lawmakers attended the New York Public Transit Association's transit awareness day to discuss potential policy changes that would make the public's access to transportation more frequent and sustainable, according to WTEN.

Lawmakers discussed various suggestions, including one that would add a new $25 annual fee on upstate car registrations. The funds, which would be added to a two-year New York registration (totaling $50), would be used to make it easier for folks to access public transportation. The fee, which is already in place on registrations in downstate NY, would help to advance the frequency of bus access.

Lawmakers All For DMV Fee

New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney said,

"Upstate New York and places like Albany and Rochester and Syracuse, we rely on public transit as well, but we don’t have the sources of funds to help fund it. You may not need it for yourself, but think about your aging parents who may rely on public transit, think about people with disabilities in your community who rely on public transit. Think about your workers, if you’re an employer, who rely on public transit. It’s a rising tide that lifts all boats."

 

SEE ALSO: State Police Ramp Up Security Across New York After U.S. Action in Iran

Other supporters of the fee include Miguel Velázquez, President of the New York Public Transit Association, who said "We are asking for equity in having that twenty five dollar DMV car registration fee be extended from downstate to the rest of the state in order for us to have a dedicated source of revenue that is sustainable for us so that we can have sustainability across the state for all of the public transit systems."

It's unclear if the new fee will be part of this year's state executive budget or not. The budget is due April 1st.