OBSERVER File photo The New York State Thruway Board voted Tuesday to increase tolls 30% for non-E-ZPass users. The new rates go into effect on Jan. 1.

New Yorkers are being given another reason to make sure they have an E-ZPass before traveling on the New York state Thruway.

On Tuesday, the state Thruway Board voted to keep tolls the same for E-ZPass users except for those using the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge or downstate commuter rates. Systemwide, the standard E-ZPass toll rate will become the base toll rate and not increase. Non-E-ZPass users, however, will see a 30% increase in Thruway tolls. The new rates go into effect on Jan. 1.

Analysis by the Thruway Authority’s independent traffic engineer in 2019 determined there will be additional revenues needed for the Authority to fulfill its system-wide operating, debt service and capital needs through the upcoming forecast period. Thruway tolls have not been adjusted since 2010.

“This is a modest toll adjustment balancing the needs for continued investment in our system while keeping tolls affordable for our motorists,” Matthew J. Driscoll, Thruway executive director, said in a news release. “We have not had a toll adjustment in 10 years and as we enter into a new era of modern transportation on the Thruway, it’s the right time both operationally and financially for this adjustment to occur.”

The standard E-ZPass toll rate will become the base toll rate. A 30% rate differential will be established for Tolls by Mail toll rates while there will also be a $2 administrative surcharge per billing statement for those who don’t have an E-ZPass. Out-of-state E-ZPass drivers on the Thruway will pay 15% more than state residents.

Thruway officials defend the 30% higher rate for those who don’t use E-ZPass by comparing the state’s higher rates to other states.

Massachusetts has an 87% differential on the Massachusetts Turnpike and 109% on the Boston Extension. The Miami-Dade Expressway has a 100% differential and the Pennsylvania Turnpike charges a 36% differential.

Not all state lawmakers are on board with the Thruway Board’s decision. State Sen. Jim Tedisco, R-Glenville, is drafting the Thruway Toll Equity Act in the state Senate to roll back the 30% increase in Thruway tolls and the $2 billing surcharge for any New Yorker who lives below the federal poverty line and who doesn’t have an E-ZPass. Under Tedsico’s proposal, low-income New Yorkers would only be billed after they spend $30 in tolls or annually at the same rate as E-ZPass users.

How low-income status would be proven isn’t yet known because the legislation has not been officially introduced. The state Legislature is not returning to session this month, so Tedisco’s bill won’t be passed before the toll increase takes effect on Jan. 1 anyway.

Tedisco said tolls should remain, but the increase should not disproportionally affect low-income workers who may need to use the Thruway for medical appointments or to go to work.

“These last nine months have been difficult for all New Yorkers, especially for seniors on fixed incomes and low-income working people who are struggling to make ends meet and pay their bills,” Tedisco said. “Today, the New York State Thruway Authority Board of Directors threw salt into the wounds of low-income New Yorkers by voting to increase tolls by a whopping 30 percent for non-E-Z Pass users and making them pay a new $2 billing surcharge for getting a bill in the mail. This toll hike makes it more expensive for low-income New Yorkers to travel for medical appointments like dialysis or to have additional money to pay for groceries and other necessities.”

One of Tedisco’s arguments against requiring E-ZPass is that there are many state residents who don’t have credit, can’t get a credit card or don’t have a checking account with its accompanying debit card. Thruway officials, however, say E-ZPass has payment options that include a Pay Per Trip plan, which deducts from a bank account for the days a driver has toll usage, and accepts money orders and pre-paid credit cards.