A proposal introduced late in the state legislative session to eliminate overnight tolls on the state Thruway makes a lot of sense, in our view.

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Schenectady, suggests eliminating tolls on the Thruway between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in order to reduce congestion during daytime peak hours. There could also be potential savings on freight transportation if trucks can move goods without having to spend money on tolls. Santabarbara’s bill would also require the state Transportation Department to collect data on traffic patterns, toll revenue and public feedback, with the findings reported back to the state Legislature and governor within 90 days after the pilot program ends.

It’s not a bad idea to consider as tolls increase, especially on those who choose not to use an EZ-Pass transponder. Transportation costs are one of the hidden costs we’re all paying as we shop. It’s naive to think that eliminating tolls overnight on the Thruway would roll back some of those price increases, but every little bit helps.

We’re not sure state Thruway Authority board members will like the idea of losing overnight toll revenue, but in areas where the Thruway can be congested during the day attempting to shift daytime use to nighttime use may make life easier for everyone involved for a fraction of the uncollected toll debt the Thruway Authority is trying to college.

Speaking of uncollected tolls, Assemblyman Clyde Vanel is on the right track with legislation to limit the fees the Thruway Authority can charge for those who are late paying tolls by mail or who run out of money on their EZ-Pass. Those who are paying tolls by mail and don’t pay quickly enough receive a second bill with a $5 late fee. An unpaid second toll bill escalates to a violation, which includes a $50 fee per violation notice.

“The average citizen is not trying to evade tolls or engage in unlawful activity, yet many people do accrue a balance that is then subject to fines and fees that are entirely unreasonable and actually inconsistent with other laws on our books such as loansharking and usurious lending. There is no rational reason why a fee on a toll should be 10 or 20 times the face value of the original change,” Vanel wrote in his legislative justification. “This bill sets a reasonable and lawful restriction.”

Vanel is right. It’s a bit duplicitous for the Thruway Authority to get away with a fine structure that would result in a lawsuit by the state Attorney General’s office if a private business did the same thing. The legislature should rein in the Thruway Authority’s toll fee – especially on small tolls for those who aren’t habitual offenders.