Trucking stakeholders operating in New York City have had enough of a law that they say “preys on the state’s trucking industry.”
The Trucking Association of New York, along with member carriers, filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York, challenging the city’s idling law and Citizens Air Complaint Program.
New York City prohibits most vehicles from idling for more than three minutes. In areas near schools and parks, that time limit is reduced to one minute.
However, city and state-owned fleets are shielded from enforcement, while carriers alleged to be in violation are not given a proper forum to defend themselves, according to the lawsuit.
Additionally, the complaint program allows residents to submit a timestamped video of trucks and buses idling for at least 3 minutes and 4 seconds, with the resident receiving 25% of the fine collected.
Idling complaints through the New York City program have steadily risen since 2022, with 2026 on pace to set a record.
“Our industry has tried to advocate for fair and reasonable changes to this program,” Kendra Hems, president of the Trucking Association of New York, said. “Unfortunately, with their unwillingness to provide legitimate avenues for due process and equal protection under the law, the City of New York and the Department of Environmental Protection have forced our hand into filing this lawsuit. As extreme temperatures create unsafe working conditions for drivers across NYC, emboldened bounty hunters are readying their cameras to try and make a dollar off the backs of truckers, all while Mayor Mamdani advocates for employers to take the steps necessary to keep workers safe.”
The American Bus Association also recently challenged the New York City idling law, claiming it is unfair and unlawful.
“The lack of enforcement against non-exempt vehicles in public fleets shows that the City’s goal is not about ‘clean air,’” the ABA said. “If the goal were environmental, the owner of the fleet would not matter in any prosecution regarding emissions.”
TANY said motor carriers in New York City thoroughly train their drivers to avoid unnecessary idling, which is both wasteful and damaging.
There are legitimate situations that require extended idling and during those times, drivers shouldn’t have to also worry about the “bounty hunters” this program has created.
“For a number of reasons, we, as motor carriers, have the duty and business incentive to prevent idling,” said Tommy Kharieh, President of Walton Hauling, a plaintiff in the lawsuit. “Unfortunately, due to the city’s unchecked bounty hunter program and lack of administrative due diligence, we often find out about violations once we receive the fine and are classified as repeat offenders. This leaves us without the ability to take remedial action when the moment requires.” LL
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