New City, NY, – County Executive Ed Day submitted comments Thursday to the New York State Thruway Authority adamantly opposing toll increases as families continue to struggle with record-breaking inflation and sky rocketing gas prices.
On Monday, December 5, 2022, the New York State Thruway Authority Board will vote on whether to proceed with toll hikes on road and bridge tolls that would take effect in 2024.
The meeting will be held via webinar and residents can submit comments prior to the meeting to BoardAdmin@thruway.ny.gov which will be read at the Board meeting.
Public comments can also be made during Monday’s the meeting: Open Meeting Webcasts – New York State Thruway (ny.gov)
The full text of the County Executive’s submission is below:
December 1, 2022
New York State Thruway Authority
200 Southern Blvd.
P.O. Box 189
Albany, NY 12201-0189
BoardAdmin@thruway.ny.gov
Members of the Thruway Authority Board:
I am writing to respectfully, but adamantly, declare my opposition to toll increases on the New York State Thruway, including on the Tappan Zee Bridge.
According to reports, the NYS Thruway Authority is contemplating raising the Tappan Zee Bridge toll by nearly 9% annually and 35% collectively over four years from $5.75 to $7.75. Families this year are already struggling with record-breaking inflation reaching a 40-year high and skyrocketing gas prices and any move by the New York State Thruway Authority to pinch the wallets of hardworking families even further is infuriating.
Additionally, the Tappan Zee Bridge is a County-to-County bridge same as the Bear Mountain Bridge but while drivers utilizing EZ-Pass at the Bear Mountain Bridge pay $1.55 per crossing, the Tappan Zee is already $4.75 for Rockland and Westchester residents, $5.75 for Standard NY E-ZPass holders, and $3.45 for commuters. Even the upcoming planned increase for the Bear Mountain Bridge to $1.65 per crossing is still a bargain compared to the Tappan Zee.
I respectfully urge the members of the Thruway Authority Board to show compassion for families who are coping with increasing prices across the board and refrain from implementing any toll increases in the current economic climate.
Thank you,
Edwin J. Day
Rockland County Executive