The Thruway Authority recently voted to increase toll rates by 5 percent next January and another 5 percent in January 2010. Assemblyman Koon railed against the increases calling them unnecessary, and called for the Thruway Authority to take responsibility for its financial situation and not burden motorists with further toll increases.

An audit released by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli earlier this year shows that any toll increases are avoidable, and it presented alternative plans to balance the Authority’s books. Instead of hiking tolls, the Thruway Authority could cut costs, put off non-essential capital projects and prioritize others, and it could hire a collection agency to go after unpaid E-ZPass tolls, which are estimated to be around $27 million. The Thruway Authority also underestimated its federal funding by over $100 million.

“It is unacceptable to ask the public to pick up the tab of an irresponsible state authority, especially with the overwhelming cost of gasoline,” Assemblyman Koon said. “Together, we should be working toward eliminating these costs, and if the Thruway Authority was run efficiently, cutting costs would not be a problem. The Thruway is one of New York State’s safest roads per miles traveled. We should be encouraging all motorists to take advantage of this, but instead the Authority is raising tolls and forcing motorists onto local roads, which increase accident rates, traffic congestion, and pollution emissions from cars.”

Already this year, the Assembly passed a bill authored by Assemblyman Koon which eliminates tolls for short distance commuters in the Rochester area (A.7094). If the bill is adopted by the Senate and Governor, permits would be issued to motorists commuting in the Rochester, Canandaigua, Victor and Farmington areas, encouraging commuters to utilize the Thruway corridor instead of local roads, while enhancing safety and reducing traffic.

“In addition to this legislation, I am calling for the Canal Corporation to be taken away from the Thruway Authority. For too long, the Authority has used its monitoring of the canal system as an excuse to justify unnecessary toll hikes,” Assemblyman Koon said. “The canal system is a resource which the Authority is not investing enough attention in. The potential is there for cheap travel, cheap shipping, and tourism; it is up to us to start utilizing this invaluable resource. The Thruway Authority should examine its means and methods and find an alternative solution for its financial issues, instead of the easy answer of increasing tolls. I’ll keep fighting to make this a reality.  ::May 2, 2008::