ALBANY - The New York State Thruway Authority's plan to raise tolls to make up for fewer-than-expected drivers could push even more traffic off the highway, according to truckers.
The authority - which operates and maintains the 641-mile superhighway - last month floated a plan to increase cash tolls by 5 percent in 2009, and another 5 percent in 2010. A 10-percent hike is already scheduled to begin next month.
Thruway managers say the hikes are needed because there haven't been enough drivers using the highway to pay for a $2.1 billion highway and bridge repair plan.
Terry Button, who delivers hay from his family's western New York farm to race tracks and feed stores throughout the East Coast, said he's been doing his best to keep off the Thruway since a 35 percent toll hike for trucks in May 2005.
Although alternate routes take longer, in the end they can be more cost effective, after figuring in the cost of fuel and other expenses that an independent operator has to cover, Button said.
“If they raise the tolls again, I'll avoid the Thruway altogether,” he said.
In 2006, trucks paid $220.7 million in Thruway tolls, up from $200.1 million in 2005, according to the Thruway Authority. The Thruway collected $554.4 million in tolls in 2006.
The Thruway Authority on Tuesday initially provided numbers to the Associated Press that showed 29 million trucks traveled on the Thruway in 2006, down 10.8 percent from 2005.
Later, John Bryan, the agency's finance chief said those figures aren't accurate because in 2005 trucks pulling two-trailers were counted twice. He said truck traffic has been flat from 2005 through 2007 but he couldn't immediately provide data to support that claim.
Betsy Graham, a Thruway Authority spokeswoman, said a consultant is analyzing the potential for trucks avoiding the Thruway because of higher tolls, and said its report will be available before any new hikes are imposed.
Assembly Republicans this week finished a series of hearings on the toll hikes that focused on how higher tolls would affect the state's economy.
Todd Smith of Priority Transportation was among those who testified at a hearing in Rochester Monday, telling area lawmakers that many of his company's trucks would likely divert to secondary roads to avoid the higher costs, according to a report in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Bill Joyce, president of the New York State Motor Truck Association, did not return calls seeking comment.
In Ohio, officials lowered tolls about 25 percent and raised the speed limit for trucks on the Ohio Turnpike to lure big rigs back after a series of hikes over five years raised tolls 80 percent.
“We told them that the trucks would leave the turnpike, and sure enough that's what happened,” said Larry Davis, president of the Ohio Trucking Association. “All the parallel routes where it's free to drive just got crushed.”
Truck traffic is up about 23 percent since the toll rollback and other changes were made in 2004, said Lauren Hakos, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Turnpike Commission.
Thruway managers say the hikes are needed because there haven't been enough drivers using the highway to pay for a $2.1 billion highway and bridge repair plan.
Terry Button, who delivers hay from his family's western New York farm to race tracks and feed stores throughout the East Coast, said he's been doing his best to keep off the Thruway since a 35 percent toll hike for trucks in May 2005.
Although alternate routes take longer, in the end they can be more cost effective, after figuring in the cost of fuel and other expenses that an independent operator has to cover, Button said.
“If they raise the tolls again, I'll avoid the Thruway altogether,” he said.
In 2006, trucks paid $220.7 million in Thruway tolls, up from $200.1 million in 2005, according to the Thruway Authority. The Thruway collected $554.4 million in tolls in 2006.
The Thruway Authority on Tuesday initially provided numbers to the Associated Press that showed 29 million trucks traveled on the Thruway in 2006, down 10.8 percent from 2005.
Later, John Bryan, the agency's finance chief said those figures aren't accurate because in 2005 trucks pulling two-trailers were counted twice. He said truck traffic has been flat from 2005 through 2007 but he couldn't immediately provide data to support that claim.
Betsy Graham, a Thruway Authority spokeswoman, said a consultant is analyzing the potential for trucks avoiding the Thruway because of higher tolls, and said its report will be available before any new hikes are imposed.
Assembly Republicans this week finished a series of hearings on the toll hikes that focused on how higher tolls would affect the state's economy.
Todd Smith of Priority Transportation was among those who testified at a hearing in Rochester Monday, telling area lawmakers that many of his company's trucks would likely divert to secondary roads to avoid the higher costs, according to a report in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Bill Joyce, president of the New York State Motor Truck Association, did not return calls seeking comment.
In Ohio, officials lowered tolls about 25 percent and raised the speed limit for trucks on the Ohio Turnpike to lure big rigs back after a series of hikes over five years raised tolls 80 percent.
“We told them that the trucks would leave the turnpike, and sure enough that's what happened,” said Larry Davis, president of the Ohio Trucking Association. “All the parallel routes where it's free to drive just got crushed.”
Truck traffic is up about 23 percent since the toll rollback and other changes were made in 2004, said Lauren Hakos, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Turnpike Commission.
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