Press Release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) recently blasted the Thruway Authority Board for approving the first step toward a 45-percent toll hike on commercial trucks with three or more axles. Hawley pointed to a litany of ways in which the proposal would hurt businesses, consumers, taxpayers and the economy as a whole.
“There are so many things wrong with this toll hike, it’s difficult to decide what the worst part may be,” said Hawley. “This proposal will eliminate jobs for New Yorkers as trucking companies move out of the state and avoid doing business in New York entirely. The cost increase will be passed onto consumers as companies increase the price of their goods in order to recoup the lost capital. Trucks will be forced onto local roads in an attempt to avoid the tolls, causing the need for expensive repairs to local roadways like Route 63 that taxpayers will be forced to fund. In addition, driving hazards will increase by adding more large trucks to local traffic. The real question here is how could someone possibly think a 45-percent commercial toll hike is a good idea?”
Thruway Authority Chairman Howard Milstein called the 45-percent hike a “modest increase,” even though the proposal would increase a trip between Buffalo and New York City for applicable trucks to roughly $127.
“In Western New York, we know that a 45-percent spike in tolls is anything but a ‘modest increase,’ ” said Hawley. “While the Legislature works to reverse the irresponsible, job-killing taxes and fees that have plagued state government for years, unelected bureaucrats are working directly against our effort to reopen New York for business. This is completely unacceptable, and I urge Western New Yorkers to join me in making our voice heard against this irresponsible policy.”
The Thruway Authority is required to hold public hearings on the matter before implementing the toll hike. Details on the hearings have yet to be released.
I suggest a toll be charged
I suggest a toll be charged to any 18 wheelers using Rt 63 between Mt Morris and Batavia, unless they are making a local delivery.
This could increase traffic
This could increase traffic on non toll highways. This could be great for the local economy it would bring more people through small towns and cities.
Raise toll, more people find
Raise toll, more people find alternatives, less vehicles, revenue does not increase, raise toll again, lather, rinse, repeat.
When will they just disband
When will they just disband the Thruway Authority, for cryin' out loud.
I don't think anything good
I don't think anything good is going to come from more tractor trailers using rt63.
Once again another toll
Once again another toll increase because, the State of New York and the Thruway Authority's mismanagement of finances gained from tolls. New York State established the tolls to help build the thruway and upon completion were to discontinue the tolls. However, NYS realized it was a huge money maker and decided to keep the toll system in place. Tolls collected are no longer for the maintenance of the thruway but, for any NYS shortfall or welfare program.
Yeah, I am so happy that Route 63 and 98 have been reduced from four lanes down to two lane for all these bicyclist you see daily pedaling up and down 63 & 98. It is awesome to be caught behind a convoy of tractor-trailers and stopping at every intersection. Thank GOD Batavia made their traffic congestion to match that of New York City! Scratch that, they made it worst than that of New York City! Just to give an idea of time loss. I travel through Batavia at early morning hours and it takes approximately ten minutes from my home in Stafford to the industrial center on Route 33. During peak hours it takes over 30+ minutes; depending on how many tractor-trailers and snail drivers are out. It has taken as long as 43 minutes traveling from Route 237 to BJs on Route 63 going through Batavia on Route 5. We should start a new toll system and build a Route 5A to bypass Downtown Batavia.
john....read the story
john....read the story again............the only thing more it would bring is more tractor trailers coming through our city.....just what we need is more trucks on rt 5 and rt. 63....maybe if our "bright" city planners hadn't narrowed rt. 98 and rt. 63 down to 2 lanes it wouldnt be so bad
I like how the go-zillionaire
I like how the go-zillionaire Thruway Authority chairman who lives in Manhattan and probably rarely uses the thruway himself calls it a modest increase. He probably thinks diesel fuel is too cheap as well.
John W You obviously have
John W
You obviously have never driven in NYC especially during drive time.... The 30 min you complain about is a dream they have no way of ever achieving. It takes almost an hour to get into and out of any bridge or tunnel system just to get into NYC, then another 45 for traveling in the city as well. For you to make that comparison is ridiculous.
jeff, are people in those
jeff, are people in those trucks? how about a bus? people have to eat when they are traveling. some need places to stay. fuel, gas, repairs, need them all. dot checks can you stop trucks going down the thruway? maybe at an exit. but you have a choice you dont have to exit. on a non toll road you can set up dot any where. instant revenue big fines and in most cases you have to have repairs made before you can move. the bike route may be a state deal it has to do with sharing the road. i bike and i use the lane it is quicker with all that truck traffic ya know. people cycle everywhere and they come through batavia hard to believe but it is real world. some stay over night, some eat, pretty much all the same things us batavians do. there are several people who ride here in batavia. some of us have traveled from buffalo to albany on bikes and all over genesee county, ny state, and in other countries, honest! there are a lot of ways to find postives in things if you want to. i don't what to read the article again. i don't know if you really want me to. maybe it is just a statement that you like to use. any way thanks for responding to my comment. hey if you are not doing anything on june 9th there is a bike ride with the lions club you should check it out. maybe bring your family. i plan on riding the 53 mile tour. NOTHING ELSE TO DO IN THIS TOWN!