BUFFALO. N.Y. — Marcus Kelly of Buffalo admittedly didn't pay his $3 cashless toll bill on time and was charged an $8 late fee in return. 

"I enjoy going over the Grand Island bridge, but now I go around it," he said.

After he paid that, he was hit with a $153.00 bill. 

He's far from alone in dealing with the sticker shock. 

"I never had an EZ pass, I didn't come that way over the bridge as often.  But when I opened that letter and seen $153, I was very shocked, I couldn't believe it," Kelly said. 

"When any large technology roll-out occurs, there have been some hiccups in the process," said state Senator Tim Kennedy. "It was simply highway robbery."

Kennedy unveiled legislation that would create a six-month amnesty, or forgiveness, program, since the roll-out of the cashless tolls earlier this year. With the state legislature out of session until January, Kennedy is asking the Thruway Authority to implement the program through an executive order.

"This would give opportunities for drivers to pay their tolls without accumulating a ridiculous late fee in a system that they're still adjusting to," said Kennedy.

The Thruway Authority says customers have nearly 100 days to pay their toll bills before violation fees are assessed and urge customers to contact them with any billing issues. Leaders say they're eager to work with Kennedy to address any constituent concerns.

Meantime, Kelly wrote a letter to the Thruway Authority, per its request, explaining his situation, but says he has yet to hear back.

"Keep going over the bridge, but if you get the bill for the toll, pay it on time," said Kelly.

Kennedy says a similar program was implemented for cashless tolls at the Tapanzee Bridge downstate.