NEW YORK—The proposed 45 percent average toll increase for most commercial classes on the Tappan Zee Bridge will not solve the operating authority’s cash shortfall. Further, it could hinder economic recovery in New York, according to an analysis released by state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Wednesday.
“Too often in the past the thruway has pushed costs and difficult decisions to the future by raising tolls or borrowing,” DiNapoli said. In the last 10 year, operating costs have increased 36 percent, but revenues have not kept pace.
The cost of servicing the New York State Thruway Authority’s debt is rising, according to DiNapoli. In 2011, the entity paid $181 million servicing $3.28 billion in outstanding bonds.
The comptroller acknowledged that the thruway’s new leadership team has begun making positive changes but needs to do more work. The thruway didn’t return a phone call seeking comment.
DiNapoli’s office received concerns about the increases from “a number of New York residents and elected officials” about the proposed toll increases, slated for Sept. 30. If the authority goes through with it, it will be the fifth toll increase in seven years.
“Significant truck traffic” could move off the thruway onto non-tolled highways or roads, according to the report, sending “ripple effect through the state’s overall economy.”
The tolls would not be higher than toll highways in other states, such as Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, the analysis notes. But local, state, and federal taxes on diesel fuel are 73.5 cents in New York; almost 25 cents higher than in the states listed above.
The current tolls for trucks on the bridge vary depending on whether the truck is going north or south, the vehicle’s class, and the time of day. The lowest southbound toll is $5.75 for the lightest commercial vehicles between midnight and 6:14 a.m. and on weekends. Tolls for heavier trucks and during heavier travel times can go up to $49.25 (for the heaviest truck between 7 a.m. and 8.59 a.m.)
Recommended alternatives to raising the tolls involve a series of cost-saving and improved budgeting measures, such as commissioning an independent analysis of the canal system, a waterway that has cost the thruway more than $1 billion since 1992, looking for operational cost savings, and tightening up erroneous traffic projections that often lead to overestimation and shortfalls.
Part of the reason behind the toll increase is repair and maintenance costs; there is also talk of plans for a new Tappan Zee Bridge which is planned for construction over the next few years.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s secretary Larry Schwartz said at a community meeting recently, the regular toll, $5, would increase to $12 if a new bridge is not built, the Journal News reported. Schwartz said the toll on the proposed new bridge would be $14, though for E-ZPass users and commuters it would be less costly.
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