New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert on May 18, 2026, warning businesses against engaging in price gouging on transportation services during the Long Island Rail Road strike. The alert reminds businesses that New York’s price gouging laws prohibit unconscionable price increases on essential goods and services during market disruptions, with potential penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. No specific enforcement action against a particular entity was announced, only a general warning for businesses and a call for consumers to report suspected price gouging.
In-house legal teams should review vendor agreements for transportation, rideshare, car rental, and parking service providers to include clauses prohibiting unconscionable price increases during market disruptions or emergencies. Pricing clauses should be checked to ensure compliance with New York’s price gouging laws, including caps on price increases during declared emergencies or market disruptions. Additionally, agreements should include reporting requirements for potential price gouging violations and penalties for non-compliance with state price gouging regulations.
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Other"Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About Price Gouging During Long Island Rail Road Strike"
"May 18, 2026"
"New York Attorney General Letitia James"
"New York’s price gouging laws prohibit businesses from unconscionably increasing prices on goods or services, including transportation, that are vital to consumers’ health, safety, or welfare during market disruptions."
"Price gouging violations can carry penalties of up to $25,000 per violation."
"Attorney General James is encouraging anyone who encounters excessively higher prices of rideshare services, car rentals, and parking to report it to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG)."
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