Tyler Brown is reporting for CBS6-Albany as the New York State Thruway moves to cashless tolls, drivers will not be required to have an E-ZPass to travel the roadway, but without one the journey will cost more. The Thruway Authority has constructed dozens of gantries to track travel either by E-ZPass or by reading license plates. Edward Miller used to commute on the Thruway and says the idea of cashless tolls is bittersweet. " I feel sorry for the people that are losing their jobs: the toll takers," Miller said. "It used to be a good job. ..." The state is now aggressively marketing the E-ZPass through an advertising campaign that includes signs on the Thruway itself. Beginning in 2021, anyone paying cash will be charged 30 percent more, plus a $2 surcharge for each invoice sent through the mail. The state is looking to receive public comment on the changes. The Thruway Authority will host virtual public hearings on cashless tolling at 4 p.m. Wed., Oct. 14; and 6 p.m. Thu., Oct. 15. The hearings will streamed live at thruway [dot] ny [dot] gov.