Potential toll hikes to be discussed Monday at New York Thruway Authority meeting
NEW YORK -- A meeting will be held Monday to discuss possible toll hikes at bridges in New York state.
As CBS2's Kevin Rincon reported Sunday, the biggest jump is expected at the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge connecting Westchester and Rockland counties.
The old Tappan Zee Bridge, and now the Cuomo bridge, have cost New York E-ZPass holders $5.75 to get across since 2010. But on Monday, the New York State Thruway Authority plans to trigger the first step in what will likely be a year-long process to raise that rate to $7.75 by the year 2027.
"It's already kind of pricey. Raising the price right now wouldn't be good for us," one person said.
The plan would raise the toll by 50 cents each year. Drivers, however, are not sold on the idea of paying more.
"Nobody likes to see the prices go up, but my ex-husband pays for my E-ZPass, so have at it," one person said.
"It's not good cause we're already dealing with everything increasing because of inflation," another said.
The Thruway Authority said in a statement, "This is a responsible financial plan to ensure the Authority will meet its growing capital and infrastructure needs for a system that is approaching 70 years in age."
If approved, the increased tolls would take effect Jan. 1, 2024, and the proposal includes steep changes for out-of-state drivers. Right now, anyone with an E-ZPass from another state pays an extra 15 percent. Pay by mail costs an extra 30 percent, but if approved, anyone from outside of New York would be forced to pay a 75 percent differential, making the cost of taking the bridge $13.56 by the year 2027.
"That's outrageous to just go over a bridge," John Celona said.
Celona and Steve Gadziala were in town for work from Massachusetts. The Thruway Authority says one-way drivers like them can continue paying what local drivers pay by getting a New York E-ZPass account, something they may consider in the future.
"Maybe, but it just seems like a lot of extra work and a lot of extra administrative stuff," Gadziala said.
Also expected at Monday's board of director's meeting is a plan to raise tolls not just here, but on all 570 miles controlled by the state Thruway by 5 percent. That's for New York E-ZPass holders.
The new rates would be 75 percent higher for everyone else.