The New York Thruway’s interim chief executive, Frank Hoare, argues the case for a proposed toll rate hike in an op-ed column in The Citizen. He says important facts have been overlooked in negative news stories and “fiery” social media commentary about the “modest” increases that would start to take effect in 2024. One of those facts is that the authority has kept operating budget increases low (they average just two percent a year over more than a decade) while inflation has significantly increased costs and there has been no rate change. Hoare also notes that the Thruway’s aging infrastructure needs restoration, and the authority can’t finance the work without more toll revenue.
