Major toll hike coming on the New York State Thruway

On Monday, New York State Thruway officials approved a significant toll increase for 2024 and 2027.

The New York State Thruway Authority Board of Directors voted to increase toll rates by 5% for E-ZPass customers, effective January 1, 2024, with another 5% increase coming on January 1, 2027.

Additionally, officials say toll rates for Non-NY E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail rates will increase to 8.6 cents per mile for both groups by 2027.

Thruway officials say that this is the first system-wide toll increase for E-ZPass users in 14 years.

Toll increases are also coming in 2024 and 2027 on the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. For E-ZPass customers, tolls will increase by $0.50 each year through 2027. In 2027, the base NY E-ZPass rate for passenger vehicles will be $7.75. Commercial toll rate increases will be proportionate to the passenger rate increases.

Officials point to the age of Thruway infrastructure and the lack of federal, state, and local funding as reasons for the toll increase.

“Today’s vote by the Board of Directors maintains some of the lowest toll rates in the country and fulfills the system-wide operating, debt service, and capital needs for our financial plan,” Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said. “We’d like to thank individuals and industry representatives who attended the public hearings, those who contacted us expressing their opinion on the proposal, and elected officials for their feedback. This proposal was developed to ensure the safety and reliability of the Thruway by providing the Authority with additional revenue to meet our infrastructure and operational needs.”

Thruway Authority Board of Directors Chair Joanne M. Mahoney said, “The toll adjustments approved today by the Board of Directors follow a year-long public process and represent a responsible approach to ensure continued investment in the 570-mile Thruway system for years to come. The Thruway Authority receives no dedicated federal, state or local tax dollars and relies primarily on toll dollars to maintain and operate the Thruway which is one of the safest and reliable toll roads in the country.”