Senator Gallivan Blasts Thruway Authority's Plan To Hike Tolls On Truckers

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R,C,I – 59th District) spoke out today against the New York State Thruway Authority’s recently announced plan to increase Thruway tolls 45 percent on commercial vehicles with three or more axles.

“This proposal by the Thruway Authority’s board would be disastrous for Western New York and its economy,” the Senator said. “Raising tolls on short-haul truckers will increase the cost of doing business for tens of thousands of small businesses and farms; that cost will ultimately be passed on to struggling families who will have to pay more for staple foods and consumer items. ‘Toll’ is just another word for tax, and raising either flies in the face of the progress we’ve made the last two years to reduce the costs of state government and combat New York State’s image as hostile to private business.”

To implement any toll hike, the Thruway Authority must conduct an environmental review and hold at least three public hearings, where Gallivan made it clear he would, “continue to make his displeasure known”.

Gallivan also promised to contact Thruway Authority officials, the Governor’s Office, the Senate’s Transportation Committee Chairman, and anyone else necessary to stop this toll hike in its tracks.