FedEx Paid $10.7M in NYC Tickets

Think you've got parking ticket problems?

Federal Express paid a whopping $10.7 million in parking and traffic ticket expenses to New York City in the fiscal year ending May 31, 2008, according to FedEx media relations spokesperson Sally Davenport.

"We try to observe traffic rules when possible, but at times it's extremely hard to do, especially in a time-definite service," she said. FedEx and other express-service drivers are often forced to park illegally or block traffic in order to make a delivery on time.

New York City has a program in place to handle such situations. According to Davenport, the city can supply FedEx with a weekly report of towed delivery trucks and other traffic violations and offer a penalty-free period to address the offenses. The city's alternative, said Davenport, is allowing FedEx to waive the right to contest the tickets and pay a reduced fine instead.

The substantial traffic fines are "a recognized cost of doing business," said Davenport. "It's not a new problem. And it's not particular to FedEx. In order to offer this service in large congested areas, it's a problem we have to deal with."

When asked about the possibility of designated street parking spots for express couriers, Davenport said, "That's an interesting idea. If [the city of New York] came to us with that idea, it's something to consider."

Jessica Binns

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