Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Schenectady, is pictured speaking during a news conference in March in Albany.

It won’t happen in time for the summer travel season, but a member of the state Assembly wants the state to create toll-free overnight on the state Thruway for at least a year.

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Schenectady, introduced A.8852 during the closing days of the legislative session. The bill was introduced too late to gain much traction before the Assembly’s extended session came to a close, but could be up for discussion when the legislature returns to session in January.

Santabarbara proposes eliminating tolls on the Thruway between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in order to reduce congestion during daytime peak hours by incentivizing travel during times the Thruway is typically less-used, support smoother traffic flow and decrease wear-and-tear on the Thruway by redistributing vehicle use. There could also be potential savings on freight transportation if trucks can move goods without having to spend money on tolls. Santabarbara’s bill would also collect data on traffic patterns, toll revenue and public feedback, with the findings reported back to the state Legislature and governor within 90 days after the pilot program ends.

“The New York State Thruway is essential for connecting communities, supporting commerce, and facilitating tourism. However, persistent congestion during peak hours leads to delays, higher transportation costs, and increased emissions,” Santabarbara said in his legislative justification.

Santabarbara’s proposal is different than the congestion pricing model around New York City that has generated controversy. That model charges different tolls based on the time of day and is aimed at decreasing vehicle traffic going into the city while encouraging use of buses and the subway. Santabarbara referenced Florida’s suspension of tolls and Virginia’s time-based toll adjustments in his legislative justification. Florida has eliminated tolls at times when residents are evacuating during hurricanes or other emergencies. Virginia has implemented its own form of congestion pricing that allows drivers to pay a higher toll but drive on less congested express lanes as long as they have an EZ Pass.

“This common-sense proposal mirrors successful congestion-reduction measures adopted in other states, such as Florida’s toll suspension programs and Virginia’s time-based toll adjustments,” Santabarbara wrote. “This proposal is a practical, low-cost initiative that directly addresses issues of congestion, affordability, and sustainability. It aligns with New Yorkers’ concerns about rising transportation costs while ensuring smoother and more efficient travel for residents and businesses alike.”

Another toll-related bill was also introduced late in the session, with Assemblyman Clyde Vanel, D-Queens Village, proposing a limit to fines for late payment of tolls or toll evasion. A.8859 proposes a change to the Thruway Authority’s fine structure. Those who are paying tolls by mail and don’t pay quickly enough receive a second bill with a $5 late fee. An unpaid second toll bill escalates to a violation, which includes a $50 fee per violation notice.

Frank Hoare, Thruway Authority executive director, said earlier this year that the New York State Thruway Authority is owed $70 million in unpaid tolls from 2024 alone.

“Cashless tolling is a technology implemented by public authorities to save them money,” Vanel wrote in his legislative justification. “The average driver/commuter is not always familiar with changes in law or policy, and even those who have an EZ Pass may not monitor their accounts on a moment to moment basis. The average citizen

is not trying to evade tolls or engage in unlawful activity, yet many people do accrue a balance that is then subject to fines and fees that are entirely unreasonable and actually inconsistent with other laws on our books such as loansharking and usurious lending. There is no rational reason why a fee on a toll should be 10 or 20 times the face value of the original change. This bill sets a reasonable and lawful restriction.”