In response to the September 20 Editorial “Thruway After Eliminations, rate hikes too soon” we’d like to address some points you made.

The Thruway does not receive any dedicated federal, state, or local tax dollars to cover the costs of operating and maintaining the 570-mile Thruway, which will soon be turning 70 years old.

Our entire super-highway system is funded by the people who use it, in other words, through tolls. In the past five years, the Thruway Authority has invested approximately $223.4 million in capital projects in Western New York to maintain the safe and reliable roadway that New Yorkers expect.

This adjustment is our first increase since 2010 for NY E-ZPass customers.

That’s 14 years of holding prices steady. Few others can say that. Like everyone else, we’re also dealing with rising costs across the board. Consider that since 2010, the price of steel has increased by 95 percent, a ton of road salt jumped by 50 percent and a drum of motor oil is up 51 percent.

We’ve absorbed these costs over the past decade but now we need additional revenue to meet growing capital and infrastructure needs on an aging system.

The conversion to cashless tolling in 2020 was a revenue neutral initiative for the Authority.

It was never presented as a cost savings measure. Cashless tolling reduces congestion through free-flowing traffic and reduces emissions by eliminating idling at toll booths.

Even though we no longer collect cash, there are still a number of back office functions required to ensure the accuracy and continuity of the toll collection system.

Additionally, the $450 million project to redevelop the 27 service areas on the Thruway is through a public-private partnership with Empire State Thruway Partners and no toll dollars or tax dollars are being used for construction. This important project is meeting the needs of the modern traveler through additional amenities to improve their experience.

This toll adjustment maintains some of the lowest roll rates in the country and creates a responsible, stable financial plan that helps the Authority meet its future capital and infrastructure needs.

We’ve kept tolls as low as possible for a long time but it’s now time to ensure that the Thruway ages gracefully as it remains one of the most dependable and safest superhighways in the nation.

Frank G. Hoare is New York State Thruway Authority acting executive director.