”Its pretty outrageous. Pretty outrageous,” said motorist Josh Allen. That’s; how many people who travel the New York State Thruway describe the new ten percent toll hike. Josh Allen drives from Syracuse to Rochester once a week. “It wasn't too bad we could just throw some change we had it the cup and we'd be all set but now we gotta kinda prepare. It hits you hard,” said Allen. Thruway officials say the increase was approved back n 2005. It's part of a multi phase 2.1 billion dollar highway and bridge improvement plan. Some Motorists like Michelle Robenalt don’t mind. “It’s an extra 50 cents a year for me so it’s not really a big deal for me personally,” sid Robenalt. But for many truckers it is a big deal Francis Maslin hauls for a Rochester glass company. He says the increase will eventually have an impact on everyone. “Well, I think they've gone a little bit too far now. We've gone way up more than they should with the fuel prices the way they are transportation cost are gonna go up and the economy's gonna go down. Simple,” said Maslin. Another trucker named William says his company will absorb the toll increase but that could mean less for him in the long run. “I ain’t had a pay raise in three years that's what that ten percent hike does for me I know I ain’t getting a pay raise this year,” said William. The NYS Thruway Authority defends the increase saying it was necessary to continue making road and toll plaza improvements and to maintain the safety of the highway. Still, some motorists say another increase just doesn't add up. “I don’t trust the politicians and I think they're just robbing us the people the trucking companies and everything its just a legal way for them to steal from us that’s all it is.” added William.
