Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The New York State Thruway Authority says if you don't have EZ Pass and use the Thruway once cashless tolling starts, you'll be charged 30 percent more.
Thruway Authority Executive Director Matt Driscoll says the implementation will ease congestion and idling time. But there will be a price for those who don't subscribe to EZ Pass. "If a customer does not have EZ Pass, they will use tolls by mail. For those who are by mail customers, they will pay 30 percent more than the going rate," says Driscoll, who adds tolls on the Thruway are not going up anywhere except the Mario Cuomo Bridge in NYC.
Alita Dupree spoke in favor. "EZ Pass is the ideal, because it offers the seamless method of being able to traverse the road with a minimum of friction. It's also a valid form of savings, and it's important we emphasize the use of EZ Pass," says Dupree. "EZ Pass should be as essential as your license plates, driver's license, insurance card, and a tank of fuel. We can't legislate that but we can emphasize that through education." Dupree adds EZ Pass is like a form of credit, "What this tol will do is people won't have to worry about having exact change in their vehicle," notes Dupree.
State Senator Tim Kennedy is opposed to a rate hike. "People are suffering economically. They have lost their jobs, they are fighting just to get on their table, so it's absolutely in appropriate to discuss raising tolls right now," says Kennedy. "The only time I would ever consider it is for out of state individuals. But we should fight against any toll increase." Kennedy claims the authority is a board that makes decisions without any recourse.
Another public hearing is scheduled for today.