The federal government has halted programs giving single-occupant drivers of hybrid and electric cars access to HOV lanes.
Having access to HOV lanes through a program called Clean Pass ended on Tuesday at midnight.
John Seppala of East Setauket had been enjoying it for 12 years until now.
"For somebody who commutes a LOT, it's a nice advantage. I'm sad that it's going away. I wish it would stay," Seppala said.
The federal government has ended the program, effective Wednesday.
Signs on the Long Island Expressway warn some 50,000 motorists who registered for it that they could now face a penalty if they're caught by police.
It will cost a fine of at least $150 and 2 points on your driving record.
"Traffic is going to be worse. I've talked to a driver who said that their commute would be an extra 30 to 45 minutes, as a result of not having access to that HOV lane," Robert Sinclair with AAA Northeast Region said.
New York is one of 15 states affected by the change.
On Long Island, the effects stretch quite far, including HOV lanes spanning about 40 miles on the Long Island Expressway.
Some say the program's days were numbered anyway and that it was unfair to carpoolers and were beginning to clog up lanes designed to move faster.
"Sometimes the HOV lane is not what it used to be. You'll be stuck in traffic regardless," Kyle Peterson said.
"I'm in favor of stopping the program. They shouldn't be getting a free ride. I don't believe in electric vehicles," Robert Rehm said.
According to Governor Hochul, neither does the president.
In a statement, her spokesperson saying, "Unfortunately, the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress have made Long Island drivers the latest victims in their never-ending campaign to make our air dirtier, and our traffic worse."
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