NYS Thruway: Taking its Toll

The New York state Thruway opened in sections starting in 1950. The first section was actually laid down between Lowell and Rochester. The bonds used to build the toll road were paid off in 1997 and all tolls along the stretch of road were to be abolished. Then our legislature stepped in and voted to maintain the tolls.

Are the tolls necessary? The abolition of tolls along a six mile stretch outside of Buffalo would seem to indicate that they are not. The Thruway Authority maintains these tolls are necessary to repair and maintain the route, that is great except for one detail: it is not true.

In fact, according to a FOIL request filed by the No Grand Island Tolls website, the majority of tolls go to salaries and benefits for Authority employees.

The nogitolls.com FOIL report pertains mostly to the Niagara Falls/Grand Island area, but there are some interesting points which effect all New Yorkers:

- Fringe benefits total 36.75% of their salary.

- The employee non-revenue pass program gives every employee with five years in a free EZ Pass for life, for his or her private vehicle.

- Tollbooth managers receive about $68,000.00/year and toll takers receive approximately $20.00/hour. When the Niagara Section tollbooths were closed the Authority announced that they were not laying off any permanent toll collectors.

- Benefits include a health insurance plan, vision care, dental insurance, free EZ Pass, 401k, long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts and life insurance.

- Senior executives compensation ranges from $115,000.00 for a network affairs acting director to Mr. Fleischer’s compensation of $164,000.00.

- All employees get a tuition assistance program that pays 90% of the tuition advance of the course beginning date. Employees can take up to 15 credit hours/semester.

- Employees get 12 holidays a year, 4 of which are floating holidays, which may be used whenever.

- The vacation leave policy allows (after 7 years of employment) 13.5 days of vacation. They can turn in 10 of those day’s for payment.

- After 5 years of service employees get 12 sick days.

- Employees get 5 personal leave days/year.

Governor Spitzer stated on the campaign trail that, if elected, he would abolish all tolls along the Thruway. Unfortunately Spitzer's proposed Executive Budget, which increases spending at more than double the rate of inflation, does no such thing.