Depending on where you’re headed, it could cost you as much as $40 to travel the New York State Thruway one way. What if you could eliminate tolls altogether?

New York State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara is proposing toll-free overnight travel between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. He thinks it’s a win-win for all drivers, especially truckers, he said.

Santabarbara’s proposal includes a two-year pilot program during which time data will be collected on traffic patterns, cost savings, and environmental impacts. After the data is analyzed, there will be contemplation for a long-term implementation.

“They could see a loss of some revenue, but I think it’s manageable. We would keep an eye on that in the next two years. We want to make sure they’re prioritizing things like maintenance, snow clearing, the things that are essential that have to happen,” he said.

Learn about how soon those reduced tolls could start if the bill passes, by watching the video of Dan Levy’s story.

The Thruway Authority released this statement:

“The Thruway Authority does not receive any dedicated federal, state or local tax dollars to support the cost to operate and maintain its 2,800 lane miles and 817 bridges. The Thruway is a user-fee system supported by tolls paid only by the people who use it.  Removing tolls on the Thruway would cut off the very dedicated revenue stream that supports safe and reliable travel for hundreds of millions of motorists each year and shifts the financial burden onto state taxpayers. While we do not comment on proposed legislation, a bill that requires free or reduced tolls violates the Thruway Authority’s existing bond covenants and would negatively impact the Authority’s bondholders in violation of statutory protections.”