Posted 2008-01-28 8:12 PM (#75482) Subject: Toll Roads are in your future...
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Pennsylvania: The state plans to hike tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, above, 25 percent in 2009 and hopes to turn Interstate 80 into a toll road. Cars would pay $25 to drive the 316 miles of I-80 in Pennsylvania; trucks would pay $93. Source: USA Today
It is a matter of time before other states do the same...
Posted 2008-01-29 6:42 AM (#75503 - in reply to #75482) Subject: RE: Toll Roads are in your future...
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335 Location: Decatur, Texas
I have no problem with tollways that are privately funded like they are so far, here in Texas. What I do have a problem with is when they privatize an existing Interstate that was constructed with public tax dollars and then charge tolls for its use.
Posted 2008-01-30 8:36 AM (#75589 - in reply to #75482) Subject: RE: Toll Roads are in your future...
Regular
Posts: 88 Location: Youngstown, OH
Unfortunately, none of the "toll makers" have stopped to evaluate the costs of building toll booths at each exit, manning these booths, etc. The tolls may help a little but will certainly have a huge overhead. And I suppose that means 80 will now be in as good shape as the PA turnpike ;0).
Posted 2008-01-30 8:45 AM (#75590 - in reply to #75482) Subject: RE: Toll Roads are in your future...
Veteran
Posts: 294 Location: Fort Worth, Tx
In Texas, our new tolls are entirely computer operated. There are not any booths at all. Instead, the state sells a "toll tag" which is read when you pass through the toll area, and the charge is deducted. If you do not have a toll tag, they take a picture of your license plate and send you a bill. So there is very little overhead....trust me, they are making money. i do not have a big problem with building new roads with toll taxes but I definetely do with tolls on publicly paid for roads. This is AAA's position as well, so if you agree you may want to join them and add your voice. Don't worry, though, your government (deeper in debt than ever before) wants to send you a check to help pay for it......
Posted 2008-01-30 12:56 PM (#75607 - in reply to #75482) Subject: RE: Toll Roads are in your future...
Regular
Posts: 77 Location: Burleson, TX
To add to NotFromTexas, if you don't have a TollTag, they send you a bill (based on photo of license plate) AND charge you more for the toll than with the tag AND a billing fee. To get the tag you have to let them charge you credit card before you ever use it, and they keep your money until you do use it. Once you fall below a minimum level on your balance, not zeroed out, they recharge your card back to the original level, so they always have some of your money.Then comes all of the hassle if you are pulling a trailer with the vehicle with the TollTag.Someone I know has an older car that has it's gas tank filler behind the rear license plate. Always amazed my wife when I would forget to lift the license back up after filling up for a trip on the toll road. Never did get a "photo" bill when driving that car. Wonder why not?
Toll Roads are in your future...
