The best interview of the morning came from Carl Paladino. Like me Carl tells it just like it is. This insane persuit for higher tolls needs to be defeated and work toward eliminating the authority altogether.

– Carl Paladino, developer

Carl Paladino interview.

Thruway Authority Says Toll Hikes Needed

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - The New York State Thruway Authority says they still need toll hikes, despite the comments of several organized groups and a few regular motorists who appeared at public hearings in Buffalo Tuesday night.

The authority is justifying proposed toll increases January 2009, July 2009 and January 2010, in the face of a state comptroller’s audit that says leaner tougher financial management is needed.

About 50 people showed up for the hearings Tuesday night, featuring several organized trucking and other lobby groups, joined by about ten average motorists speaking out against the proposed hikes. A few local engineering and construction representatives spoke out in favor of the toll increases.

The cash rate for a car driving from New York City to Williamsville, just outside Buffalo, is now $15.15 on the half-century old superhighway. When fully implemented, the trip will cost $18.36 when paying in cash, or $17.58 if paid through E-ZPass.

The agency’s board of directors had endorsed the spending plans based on the roughly $375 million officials said the higher tolls would bring in through 2011, and Authority Executive Director Michael Fleischer tells WBEN that where the money comes from is still to be decided.

“We are trying to find the right proposal that allows us to keep the roads and bridges safe. Even those who came (to the hearing) and criticized the proposal, I think praised the Thruway for its level of service.”

The authority heard comments from a range of area politicians, trucking groups and others, including Carl Paladino, the outspoken downtown Buffalo developer who sued the Authority to force removal of tolls on the Niagara Section of the Thruway last year.

“I can drive all the way to California, all the way to Florida, all the way to the furthest reaches of Maine, and the only place I pay tolls is in New York State. I can drive across New York State, and hit every city, OK, the minute I leave the Thruway, I’m on a toll-free road into the urban section,” Paladino said.
“When are you fighting for us? When are you doing something for us, the citizens that you’re supposed to be representing? We’re under water in Western New York, ” Paladino added.

State legislators meanwhile are continuing to work on the possibility of funding the Thruway without toll hikes. State Sen. Dale Volker (R-Depew) tells WBEN that the state budget talks will include a short term bonding to stave off the hikes, while the legislature works on possibly spinning the Erie Barge Canal system out of the Thruway’s budget.

“I would have to say I don’t think there’s going to be any toll increase,” Volker says, adding that the “chaos that has been going on in Albany,” with the resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, and the elevation of Lt. Gov. David Paterson is likely to delay the budget and any talks on the tolls.