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ALBANY — The state Office of the Comptroller expects to soon release a 35-page review of the New York State Thruway Authority’s fiscal standing in the backdrop of a controversial toll hike proposal.
OSC has been working on the report for about two months. The NYSTA Board of Directors in December began a year-long review period for plans to increase tolls by 5% for E-Z Pass users and 75% for others.
“It guess it’s kind of 50/50 of whether it’s identifying concerns or making recommendations, but we’re going to point out things that the comptroller would like to see done certainly before any tolls are raised,” said comptroller spokesperson Matt Ryan.
Tolls will be frozen throughout 2023. The raise proposal would be enacted on Jan. 1, 2024.
The Comptroller’s Officer hasn’t publicly announced when the report would be released.
In a Jan. 24 letter to toll hike critic Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam, state Deputy Comptroller Maria Doulis wrote that the agency plans to analyze traffic projections, capital plans and debt commitments under the authority’s purview.
“The proposed price increase on such an integral transportation system must be thoroughly scrutinized,” Doulis wrote.
Santabarbara sent the comptroller a request for an updated audit on Dec. 5, arguing that the systemwide price increase would have an adverse impact on residents dealing with the fiscal climate.
The state lawmaker launched a petition against the hike proposal on Dec. 12. So far the petition has gathered about 1,000 signatures, a number his office expects to increase once public hearings begin.
“It’s outrageous that the Thruway Board of Directors approved this toll hike proposal while families are struggling with inflation and the rising cost of goods and services,” said Santabarbara in a released statement.
NYSTA officials contend that the current toll rate isn’t sustainable to support bridge upgrades and keep up with losses from the COVID pandemic, which led to a five-year revenue shortfall of $240 million.
The authority relies on revenue from tolls, permits and concessions to stay afloat. “We are committed to a statutorily-required, transparent public toll adjustment process which will include public hearings and public comments in the coming months,” said NYSTA spokesperson Jonathan Dougherty.
Dougherty said that the authority has been cooperating with the comptroller’s office since it launched a cashless tolling audit last April. The new system, which replaced toll booths with cameras, was phased between 2020 and 2021.
The comptroller compiled a report on NYSTA’s fiscal standing following a 45% toll hike proposal on large vehicles in 2012. NYSTA ultimately abandoned the proposal following widespread opposition.
Along with Santabarbara, a number of state lawmakers, including Assemblyman Robert Smullen, R-Johnstown, and state Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, have spoken out against NYSTA’s plans. State Sen. James Tedisco, R-Glenville, has renewed his call to grant legislative jurisdiction over tolling decisions
“Let’s remember, this toll hike is not being proposed in a vacuum,” said Tedisco in released statement. “In these inflationary times, there’s no question a toll hike will lead to higher consumer prices for goods and services and a significant, negative impact on local communities and local roads in terms of safety and wear and tear as more cars and trucks will drive on municipal roads to avoid the tolls.”
Tedisco recently reintroduced a bill with state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, to implement a discount program for low-income residents not registered in the E-Z Pass program.
Tag holders pay a one-time cost of $25 to $30 for an E-Z Pass transponder, which functions in 17 states.
The 596-mile Thruway ranks no. 8 in systemwide toll costs.
Tyler A. McNeil can be reached at 518-395-3749 or [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @TylerAMcNeil
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