[dropcap]N[/dropcap]ew York Assemblyman Will Barclay says he opposes the proposed 45% toll increase, because it will hurt truck drivers and will, as a result, also hurt consumers. He believes, if the toll is increased, truck drivers will avoid taking loads or passing through New York.
“This latest proposed toll increase is poorly conceived. At a time when our economy is teetering on a recovery and many communities have been deeply affected by unemployment, adding to the cost of doing business in this state is a bad idea,” said Barclay.
“Passing another toll hike will make it tough for trucking companies to stay in business. These companies provide thousands of jobs so we also risk putting more people out of work. New York companies already deal with taxes, energy, workers’ comp and regulatory costs that add up to more than many can afford in order to stay competitive,” said Barclay.
[pullquote align=”right”]“This kind of increase is too much to ask. Those costs will be passed down to wholesalers and retailers, who will in turn, pass the costs on in the form of increased prices at the checkout.”[/pullquote]
If the proposed toll rate passes, it will go into effect in October. The toll rate for trucks will the trip for a commercial truck from Albany to the Buffalo would increase from $61.89 to $89.73, Oswego County today reported.
“According to the New York State Motor Truck Association, truckers in New York already pay the second highest per truck in state and federal user fees per year,” the site reported.
“This kind of increase is too much to ask. Those costs will be passed down to wholesalers and retailers, who will in turn, pass the costs on in the form of increased prices at the checkout,” said Barclay.
The turnpike authority, by law, must hold public hearings on the issue. The hearings will be held Aug. 17 in Syracuse at the Double Tree Hotel, 6301 St. Rt. 298 in East Syracuse.
Assemblyman Barclay urges those who cannot attend the hearing to submit their thoughts and comments to [email protected] or mail comments to New York State Thruway Authority, 200 Southern Boulevard, Albany, NY 12209.