Grand Island, N.Y. (WBEN) - Mark Schimley was very succinct in why he spend portions of an 80-degree early fall day inside the Western New York Welcome Center on Grand Island.
"It's a lot easier to come here than make my way to Lockport," Schimley said.
A long time Grand Island resident, Schimley was one of more than 40 people -- all mostly 'Island' residents to took advantage of a New York State Thruway Authority EZ Pass out reach session at the Alvin Road building.
That's 40 people - all within the first 150 minutes - of the two-day, total of 10-hour EZ Pass sessions, set for Sept. 29 and Sept. 30 at the Grand Island welcome center.
On average, most were waiting about 40 minutes.
"Forty minutes isn't too bad," said Gary Blazik, a Grand Island resident. "You figure each person is probably spending 20 or 25 minutes talking with the representatives."
Kelly Holland, Thruway Authority Buffalo Division assistant public information officer, said most of those who pre-registered had basic questions about updating their accounts, double checking personal data in the EZ Pass system, or, even registering for new accounts.
Schimley, for instance, needed a new account to correspond with his new car.
Blazik needed to update and double check some information.
Holland said this is the first time the Thruway Authority held an EZ Pass session on Grand Island since 2019.
"It was time," she said.
The Sept. 30 session runs from 9 a.m to 1 p.m.. at the welcome center, 1999 Alvin Road. Anyone is welcome to attend.