Jerry Daley, Charirman of C&M Forwarding Company is bracing himself for the increase at the toll booths. "Well it's gonna impact our company quite a bit because of the number of rigs that we have on the road each day," said Daley. Daley's talking about the ten percent increase in toll fees on the NYS Thruway scheduled to go into effect in January. C&M sends dozens of trucks out onto the NYS Tthruway each day. Daley says the company pays thousands in toll fees annually. "Most of the months average between 52 and 54-hundred, so in quick math that's well over 60 thousand dollars a year. With an additioanl increase to be it can cover anywhere, depending on the amount of equipment being moved, another six thousand dollars over and above that," said Daley. Thruway officials say the money is needed to offset $2.7 billion in capital-imporvements. Those improvements include roads and toll plazas. State Democrats and Republicans have come out against the increase. They're calling for a delay until an audit of the Thruway Authority can be doney. "I'd like to wait unti lthe comptroller makes his report," said Joe Cavallero. Cavallero hits the thruway several days a week to make his deliveries. He questions the reason for the increase. "I think they're defeating the purpose if they're saying that there's been a decrease in the traffic because of higher fuel prices. If you raise to toll thruway prices whats that gonna do?" said Cavellero. A public hearing on the tolls increase is scheduled for next week in Rrochester.
