NY Assemblyman Calls Eliminate Thruway Tolls for Summer

As the gas prices continue to skyrocket, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara’s plan hopes to bring temporary relief to New Yorkers. The Democratic lawmaker from Schenectady is introducing legislation to eliminate Thruway tolls in the summer months (June, July, and August) to mitigate inflation. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara stated: “Typically the summer months are when most people make their travel plans and these savings will encourage tourism in our upstate areas. These active months are important for local businesses and we must do all we can to encourage economic activity when they need it the most.”

NYS Thruway Authority responded to the legislation, stating: “Removing tolls would cut off the only dedicated revenue stream used to maintain and operate our 570-mile system each and every day. The Thruway is a user-fee system supported by tolls paid by the people who use it, and not one cent of local or state taxpayer dollars pays to operate or maintain it. Roughly one-third of motorists on the Thruway in the summer months are out-of-state drivers, so removing tolls gives them a free pass and shifts the cost to hard-working New York taxpayers. Our revenue must come from somewhere, and we think the fairest approach is that only those who use the Thruway, pay for it.”

Source: 13 WHAM