Thursday, October 4, 2007

Tolls Go Up, Drivers Go Down?

Drivers on New York Interstate's might find less traffic will help them arrive at their destination faster. But at what cost? The New York State Thruway Authority is projecting a 20 percent increase in toll prices over the next four years. That means from 2008-2011, prices may increase up to five percent a year. And that's not all.

Aside from the convenience of E-Z-Pass, using the electronic pre-pay system also gets you a ten percent discount. However, under this new proposal, that could disappear.

You might pay even more on tolls in discount zones, including Grand Isle and the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The toll increase is being considered because of less traffic on the thruways. The decrease is being attributed to rising gas prices, which makes travelers stay home or take fewer trips. While they are on target now, officials fear there will be a deficit of 80 to 90 million dollars over the next four years, according to News 10 Now's interview with Thruway Authority's Michael Fleischer.

The Thruway Authority does not require public approval for the proposal, because they are separate from legislature.

The last toll increase was in 2005 on Interstate 90. The last part of that increase will take affect in January of 2008, with a ten percent increase. That means anyone driving across the state could pay as much as sixteen dollars and seventy cents.

The money would pay for reconstruction and maintenance of the interstates.

1 comment:

Kristin said...

This is an interesting story. I think that you should explain why the toll costs are going up a little sooner in the story rather than in the fourth paragraph. The explanation for the rising costs should be explained clearer and in a more concise manner.

I really like that you have a lot of links but when I click on them I realize that they got to different websites all explaining the same story. The E-Z Pass link and the money link are the best because they help the reader. The E-Z Pass link explains what it is to anyone that doesn't know. The "sixteen dollars and seventy cents" link is nice to have for readers to know exactly how much their trip will cost throught the tollway calculator.

Overall this is an interesting story but I think it could be explained in a more clear and concise manner.