ALBANY (AP) -- Under public and political pressure, the state Thruway Authority board has dropped a proposal for what had it called a "modest" 45 percent increase in tolls for truckers.The toll hike was proposed this summer by the board headed by appointees of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. It was said to be essential to shore up the finances of the state authority and avoid an expensive hit to its credit rating.
The Thruway Authority had said the toll increase was needed to raise $90 million annually and keep the agency solvent.
The toll for a three-axle truck traveling from Buffalo to New York City is about $88. Under the proposal, that would have increased to $127.
Republican Assemblyman James Tedisco and the Unschackle Upstate business group strongly opposed the measure.
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