It was a snowy drive for Thruway travelers today. And a slightly more expensive one, as a 5% toll hike on cash and E-ZPass rates went into effect today. The Thruway Authority said that the increase is less than a quarter of a penny per mile. And that the hike will create an additional $27 million in revenue. What that means for you? Paying a little more. For example, the trip from Rochester to Albany cost $9.90 yesterday.
Today, traveler Rodney Smith, paid more.
"$10.40, so like 50 cents. What are you going to do? A dozen one way, a half a dozen another. You have to bear with it," he said.
Some travelers agreed.
"There's not much you can do about it because you kind of need the roads," said Roger Peschel, another traveler.
The Thruway Authority said that without this money, construction projects would be postponed or even canceled. Most travelers agreed that there is work to be done.
"Still a lot of repairs that need to be done on the roads, especially bridges," said Pat Polasek, a traveler.
But not everyone thought that this hike was the best option.
"It's only worth it if they use the money for what its supposed to be used for," said Tim Barnes, another traveler.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released a statement last week saying that hikes over the past two years could have been avoided, if the Authority turned to other cost cutting opportunities his office laid out in a 2008 audit. Travelers said that all they can do now, is pay. But, they couldn't help but think it would have been cheaper, if they traveled home yesterday.
"Maybe I should have, would have beat the storm," said Cheryl Brown.
If you are a passenger vehicle traveling between Interchange 24 and 25, the rate for you won't change.
