NY Thruway axes truck toll hike plan

The New York Thruway Authority has abandoned plans to raise truck tolls by 45 percent.

On Dec. 17, Thruway Authority Executive Director Thomas Madison presented a new plan regarding Thruway finances that eliminated the hike the authority board gave preliminary approval to last May.

The board approved the new proposal at its meeting later that day, according to published reports.

Last spring, Authority Board Chairman Howard Milstein had described the proposed increase as “modest” that would have been implemented for trucks with three or more axles.

Madison’s presentation noted that Gov. Andrew Cuomo requested an independent audit of the Authority’s fiscal condition and operating practices. That audit found indicated NYTA had decades of financial practices described as risky, reckless and lacking transparency.

Madison said the Authority reopened its books, reviewed the audit and found ways to save expense. The new approach streamlined measures, incorporated better asset management and service sharing and cut costs.

The reforms included that the Authority would end its practice of paying the state police to patrol the Thruway, which it has done since 1954.