Thruway executive director retiring in December as Thruway considers toll hike

ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) — A brand new update on a You Paid For It report.

As the New York State Thruway Authority plans to potentially raise the cost of tolls, its executive director is planning to retire.

CBS6 is learning that Matthew Driscoll is planning to retire as of December 20. The Authority tells us that his announcement was made to staff back on November 17th and is not related to the toll hike consideration.

Driscoll has led the Thruway Authority since 2017, overseeing the transition to cashless tolling back in 2020.

The proposal to increase tolls is on the agenda for Monday’s meeting. It includes a 5 percent increase for those with New York E-Z Pass tags and a steep 75-percent hike for those who don’t.

If the board of directors votes to move forward with the proposal, this would formally launch a public process that will include meetings to gather community input and a final report before a final decision is made.

If approved, the toll hike would take effect in January 2024.

MORE: Lawmaker criticizes toll hike; Thruway Authority says NY tolls one of the lowest in the US

State lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are not taking kindly to the idea, showing bipartisan opposition to increasing tolls as New Yorkers struggle with rising costs due to inflation.

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) called the proposal “outrageous,” prompting him to introduce a bill on Wednesday to enact a toll hike freeze for at least two years.

“I was shocked to see that this proposal is even coming out during such difficult times when people are struggling with the effects of inflation, rising cost of goods and services. People are really struggling to make ends meet. There are tough times out there.

State Sen. Jim Tedisco (R-Glenville) called the toll hike “absurd.”

“I have a bill in place that simply says we’re going to be a check on them anytime. If the Thruway Authority wants to increase tolls, they should come before the state legislature, the Senate, the Assembly, go to the governor after and we should ratify it.

A spokesperson for the Thruway Authority said the only way the Thruway gets funding is through its tolls.

The Authority does not receive any local, state or federal dollars to fund operations or infrastructure updates.

In a statement, the spokesperson said:

Here are the facts behind the proposal: Tolls remain frozen through 2023 and if passed, we will maintain some of the lowest toll rates in the nation. As a tolling authority, we receive no state, federal or local tax dollars to support our operations, and when effective, we will not have had a system-wide toll increase for NY E-ZPass customers in 14 years. This is a responsible financial plan to ensure the Authority will meet its growing capital and infrastructure needs for a system that is approaching 70 years in age.

As the Thruway Authority points to infrastructure needs, CBS6 asked drivers stopped at a Thruway rest stop what they thought about a possible toll hike.

”I think it's crazy,” said Michele Jasukonis. “I take the back roads to avoid the tolls. It's cheaper that way and traveling is a lot easier that way and I don't have to worry about the bill at the end of the month.”

The Thruway Authority spokesperson said a final decision on the proposal will likely take place towards the end of 2023.

If approved, it’ll be the first toll increase for New York E-ZPass customers since 2010.