Trucking companies urge action over 1% ‘backdoor toll increase’ for commercial vehicles on New York State Thruway
Dozens of trucking companies are pressing state officials for action on what they are calling a “new backdoor toll increase” on the New York State Thruway.
Starting in January 2026, a 1% administrative fee will go into place on the New York State Thruway for providers of toll management services for the commercial trucking industry.
The fee increase is intended to cover the costs of administering a new Toll Management Service Provider program and for providing data to the toll management companies.
Companies Say New Admin Fee Will Be Passed Along As “Backdoor Toll”
In response to the news, more than 100 companies signed a letter addressed to Governor Kathy Hochul asking for relief from the 1% fee increase that they say will be passed on to the trucking industry.
The companies, spearheaded by fleet management software provider Fleetworthy, called the 1% fee “a new backdoor toll increase” and argued that the fee would negatively impact transportation companies, employees, and New Yorkers.
“This surcharge was announced without prior notice, stakeholder engagement or any clear operational justification. As proposed, the surcharge would:
- Increase costs with no additional benefit to carriers, drivers or communities we serve;
- Apply only to commercial trucking accounts;
- Add toll costs across the entire E-ZPass network, including miles driven outside New York; and
- Impose new financial pressure on small businesses and drivers already working through rising operating costs and uncertain market conditions.”
The companies asked Hochul to press the New York State Thruway Authority for a pause on the fee increase to allow time for affected businesses to have a say.
NYS Thruway Denies Reports Of Toll Increase For Commercial Drivers
On December 10, 2025, the New York State Thruway Authority issued a statement clarifying that the 1% increase will not apply directly to trucking companies but to the toll management companies:
“The new program has a one percent administrative fee charged to the Toll Management Service Provider, not the commercial trucking industry, which offsets the costs we incur to administer this program and allows them access our information that they use to operate and generate profits, considerable profits, for their business. Without access to this system, paid for by New York State tolling authorities, service providers would not be able to make the tens of millions of dollars they currently enjoy.“
“To be clear – this is NOT a toll increase or a change in the discounts we offer commercial drivers. If someone is saying otherwise they are not telling the truth. Again, toll rates and applicable discounts are NOT changing for commercial fleets as a result of this new program. In fact, this new program protects the fleet owners and ensures they receive the 20 percent volume discount and ultimately they will benefit from increased competition in this service provider arena,” said New York State Thruway Executive Director Frank Hoare.