SUBJECT:

PURPOSE:

BUFFALO
Thursday
March 2, 2006 10:00 a.m.
The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, Auditorium One Lafayette Square
Buffalo, New York

The New York State Thruway, operated by the New York State Thruway Authority (the "Authority"), is a 641-mile limited-access toll highway connecting the major cities of New York State. Since opening in 1954, the Authority has periodically reassessed and made changes to its toll structure. The changes varied between classes of vehicles and locations, and the most recent changes resulted in toll increases for passenger and commercial vehicles, with discounted rates for E-ZPass holders. Other periodic adjustments have included reduced-cost annual and commuter permits, congestion relief initiatives, and variable commercial vehicle pricing.

Numerous bills are pending in the Assembly to propose further adjustments to the Thruway toll structure. Additionally, trends in population and commuter patterns, concerns that tolls in Western New York are contributing to traffic congestion on local roads and increased travel time for commuters and travelers, and the advisability of removing toll barriers have been brought to the attention of the Assembly Standing Committee on Transportation. Therefore, the Committee is conducting this public hearing to examine the issue of tolls in Western New York, and to provide an opportunity for the Authority, interested parties, and the general public to submit testimony on this important subject.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Thruway Tolls in Western New York are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and return it to:

Simonia Brown
Committee Assistant
Assembly Committee on Transportation
Room 513 - Capitol
Albany, New York 12248
Email: browns@assembly.state.ny.us
Phone: (518) 455-4881
Fax: (518) 455-4128

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