New York – As of Sunday morning, toll rates on the New York State Thruway have gone up in price. For people paying cash, that means paying 10-percent (10%) more.
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EZ Pass holders do get a break on the higher rates, who make up more than 60-percent (60%) of Thruway toll business.
Tolls are scheduled to go up another five-percent (5%) next year, and again in 2010. [wten]
If you’re heading out on the Thruway starting Sunday, you’ll want to count your spare change because you’re probably going to need it.
The first in a series of toll increases goes into effect Sunday.
The user fee on the highway is going up 10% — meaning for instance that a trip from Albany to New York City will cost you close to $1 more.
This increase was OK’d in 2005 — but the Thruway Authority is still considering additional 5% hikes in 2009 and 2010.
ALBANY – Driving on the New York State Thruway just got more expensive. At least for those of you who still use cash to pay tolls.
”Really if you had your thinking cap on you would have taken E-Z Pass”, said Bill Joyce from the New York State Motor Truck Association.
The 10 percent increase does not apply to drivers who use E-Z Pass. Joyce says for years he’s been urging drivers to get E-Z Pass.
“First in any given toll booth more cars can pass on E-Z Pass system than on a manual one and second they don’t need to be manned,” added Joyce.
Stand up
The new prices are already posted on the thruway authority’s website.
Traveling from Exit 24 in Albany to exit 25 in Schenectady used to cost 25 cents and now it’s 30 cents.
Late last month, state assembly lawmakers called on the thruway authority to rethink their plan to raise tolls but authority members didn’t back down. They say the problem is two fold; fewer motorists are using the thruway because of rising gas prices and running the canal system continues to drain the agency’s resources.
“It was just a way to rob the thruway of those funds and have toll payers pay those,” says Joyce.
Fifteen years ago, the state legislature passed a law that gave the thruway authority control over the canal system too.
The State Council on Waterways says they fault the authority for not promoting the canal. The proposal also calls for five percent increases through 2010.
How do you think people are going to feel about paying more in tolls????
Just be aware The Harriman Toll Fare Went Up this morning To $1- Cars.