New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has notified the New York State Thruway Authority that he believes the proposed toll rates for cars on the new Tappan Zee Bridge are too high but said nothing about the proposed 45% toll increase for truckers Nov. 1 on the Thruway.
The governor is saying “we can’t be putting this kind of economic burden on our commuters, yet, he has not come out with that same kind of statement as far as putting the economic burden on truckers and business,” said Kendra Adams, president of the New York Motor Truck Association.
The authority operates the bridge and Thruway and in May unveiled a new toll rate schedule for trucks that would raise the current toll for a five-axel truck from $68.95 to $99.98 to run all 570 Thruway miles (6-4, p. 27).
In an Aug. 10 letter to the authority Cuomo took issue with the projected bridge toll rates and the $5.2 billion construction cost which is to be partly financed with toll revenues. With E-Z Pass and a commuter discount, in 2017 the car toll would rise from $3 to $8.40.
The proposed truck tolls are the subject of public hearings taking place around the state this week.
