Raymond Pignone is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the New York State Thruway Authority Board of Directors December 5, authorized next steps in the toll increase process. The Thruway Authority is proposing a 5 percent hike for E-ZPass drivers beginning January 1, 2024. The board of directors must hold a series of public hearings on the proposal before the Authority can formally adopt the increases. Hearings will be held throughout 2023. Under the proposal, beginning January 1, 2024, the base E-ZPass rate will increase by 5 percent outside of the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. A second 5 percent increase would take effect in January 2027. Authority Board of Directors Chairperson Joanne M. Maloney said at the December 5 meeting that members are ready to listen to suggestions on alternative ways to raise funds needed to maintain and repair aging infrastructure. Statewide, tolls will remain frozen system-wide through 2023. If approved, this will be the first system-wide toll increase in 14 years. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.