Stachowski Questions Need for Thruway Toll Hike

September 26, 2007

STACHOWSKI QUESTIONS NEED FOR THRUWAY TOLL HIKE

NYS Senator Bill Stachowski has joined the chorus of opposition to the announcement made by the NYS Thruway Authority seeking a four-year, twenty percent hike in tolls. The Senator, whose district contains the Lackawanna, Hamburg and Eden/Angola toll plazas, stressed that other options should be explored before asking motorists to pay more to use the Thruway system.

"While we in the Legislature need to look at creative options to balance our budget, the administration at the Thruway Authority needs to do the same before announcing a toll hike of this magnitude" Stachowski said. "In other words, has the Authority reconsidered the scope or number of capital projects they have on the drawing board before coming to the conclusion that they need more money? Have they sought the assistance, or feedback, of the State Legislature or the Governor, before determining that they cannot operate under their original budget estimates?"

The Senator pointed out that the State Legislature was instrumental in removing the toll plazas at South Ogden and Black Rock by maneuvering the operational costs of a downstate highway. "By removing those operational costs we were able to offset the removal of the toll barriers here in Western New York" he explained.

"Clearly the Thruway Authority has a responsibility to keep motorists safe while driving on its road and bridges" Stachowski noted. "I have no quarrel with that fact. However the revenue side of the ledger should be looked at like any other business operation. By reducing operational costs or eliminating certain responsibilities placed on the Thruway Authority costs can be lessened, thereby ruling out the need for a toll hike. This is a perfect example of the need to run the NYS Thruway Authority as a business and not a fiefdom."