Statement of
Kathy Hochul, Erie County Clerk
Regarding Thruway Tolls

It has been over ten years since I first challenged the existence of the NYS Thruway Authority, which we all know, was to be obsolete in 1996. When tolls continued past the date New Yorkers had been promised a toll-free road, we launched a campaign in the Town of Hamburg to remove tolls from the commuting range of Buffalo. I say this now, because had the Lackawanna and Williamsville toll barriers been moved and Grand Island tolls eliminated, the commuters of WNY would not be disproportionately impacted by any toll increases.

Despite talk for over a decade, the Williamsville Barrier remains. Despite a study, which was delayed over 4 years, which proves that it makes financial sense to relocate the Lackawanna Barrier, it still remains. This is a disgrace.

The NYSTA imposed 10% system wide increase in tolls in 2005. Yet, in our region, tolls actually increased 33% when tolls on the I-190 rose from 50 cents to 75 cents. Again, our commuters, truckers, and businesspeople paid a disproportionate share of the toll increase. Certainly, I am pleased that the injustice of the I-190 tolls is gone forever, but as I said when the barriers finally came tumbling down, that the battle is only half over. We cannot ignore the impact of the tolls on our region, and to even consider increasing tolls at this time is an insult to the people of our community.

What I find most troubling is the NYSTA's attempts to justify a 10% increase in January 2008, and another 10% by 2010, by blaming the motorists for driving less due to the high cost of gas.

Let me get this straight. Drivers, who cannot afford to take trips because the cost of gas has gone up 144% in WNY from $1.33 per gallon in 2002 to $3.25 per gallon in 2007, should now bear the expense of a toll increase. Now to another fact. The Thruway Authority, based upon its 2006 Annual Report, shows a 36% increase in the tolls collected from Western New York from the Niagara Section to the State line up $75 million from $55 million since 2002.

So motorists pay more at the pump, and consequently drive less. To punish them for driving less, they will be forced pay more to the toll collector. Does that sound fair?

Here's my message. Before the Thruway Authority even considers toll increases, I urge the following:

• Full cooperation with an audit of the NYSTA by the NYS Comptroller. Every time the tolls go up, the expenses at the NYS Thruway Authority also increase. It's time the NYSTA curtail expenses rather than passing the buck to motorists.
• Stop subsidizing the Canal Corporation on the backs of motorists. Divest from the NYSTA and include on the State budget. Operating costs for 2007 were $52 million.
• Add appointees from WNY who are sympathetic to our position when vacancies occur on the NYSTA.
• Stop the delays in relocating the Lackawanna Toll Barrier and the Williamsville Barrier outside the commuting area. Eliminate tolls on the Grand Island Bridge.
• Re-examine the decision to keep the NYSTA in existence beyond the original sunset date for tolls in 1996.

As the elected official who issues drivers' licenses and registers all vehicles on the road, I directly represent the motorists of this County. I can tell you that not only should this increase be stopped, but if it goes into effect, it will be yet another reason why the cost of living and working in WNY is too high. If we are serious about attracting new business and people to our community, we need to reduce our costs. An increase is just another wedge to drive people away, hurting businesses small and large.

I urge the members of the NYS Thruway Authority to vote against these increases. We cannot allow an autonomous agency to act against the wishes of the elected officials and the people we represent.

• Sign Petition Online
• Print Petition
• Letter to Brian Higgins
• Letter to Governor Paterson

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