MTR 255, Thruway Toll Hike: Minor Political Football, Sensible Policy

Mobilizing the Region
Issue 255 February 4, 2000

Thruway Toll Hike: Minor Political Football, Sensible Policy

The NY State Thruway Authority's quiet plan to index tolls to construction labor and material costs and raise them in a series of minor increases over the next few years (see MTR #254) fell prey to the political squabble between State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Governor Pataki this week. Bruno blasted the plan as a tax increase and criticized the Thruway for not revealing that the plan was in the works earlier.

The increase, which would be 1.8% this year for distance-based tolls but would not affect fixed-toll barriers around NYC and Buffalo, would help pay for a capital program that includes toll plaza work to permit higher-speed E-ZPass transactions. The hike could also provide a context for introducing an anti-congestion time-variable toll schedule at the Tappan Zee Bridge. The higher tolls could go into effect this summer. Public hearings on the plan are likely this spring.