MdTA proposes increases for E-ZPass users, large trucks

The Baltimore Sun ^ | January 5, 2009 | a Baltimore Sun reporter (yes, it says that in the original)

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

E-ZPass users and operators of large trucks will pay more for the use of the state's toll facilities under a series of changes proposed by the Maryland Transportation Authority to offset declines in revenue and increases in the cost of maintenance, Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari said today.

Under the proposal given preliminary approval by the authority's board, users of the E-ZPass electronic toll collection system will be charged $1.50 a month for bill processing even if they don't use a toll facility during that month. New and replacement transponders -- the electronic devices placed in vehicles to record tolls -- will no longer be free. Porcari said the state will begin providing the transponders at its cost, which is about $21.

Meanwhile, the operators of trucks with three axles or more face toll increases from between 33 percent and 80 percent -- a move Porcari said would more closely reflect the wear and tear heavy vehicles inflict on bridges, tunnels and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway.

The bright spot in the authority's announcement: Maryland will not follow the lead of several other states in the region and raise tolls on passenger vehicles.

The higher tolls for commercial vehicles would go into effect April 15, and the changes for E-ZPass users would take effect July 1. The new measures would generate $60 million a year for the transportation authority.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Maryland “Freak State” PING!

[relictele]

users of the E-ZPass electronic toll collection system will be charged $1.50 a month for bill processing even if they don't use a toll facility during that month

MdTA - UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT OF TOLLS

Reminds me of this story

[cdpap]

And the logical consequence... Thousands of Marylanders turn in their ezpass’s and therby cause the state to have to hire hundreds of new toll collecters at 30 to 40 thousand bucks apiece annual salary. What a bunch of morons.

[TET1968]

Copy of letter sent mdtatollrates@mdta.state.md.us

EZ pass lanes do not require a salaried toll taker. The State saves money every time a pass is used.

State's answer- Charge the pass users more.

The State takes toll money in advance from subscribers. That money is a “float”, it is not put in escrow. It is used, interest free to the state,while subscribers could very well be paying interest on the auto withdrawals from their credit card accounts

State's answer-Charge the Pass users more.

When an EZ pass lane reader fails to identify a legitimate subscriber, an outside collection company, at least a month later,sends the subscriber a letter threatening to give him/her a substantial fine unless they fill out forms when all they had to do was bill the account since they secretly photographed the license plate number as it passed through & know it belongs to a subscriber.

As one drives through the JFK Plaza toll lanes you can hear the faulty system sounding alarms all day long.
That entire costly, additional revenue stream process should be closed down.

Considering the above and just out of principal, if EZ pass charges are increased, I will cancel my subscription.
One small voice who feels this kind of management should not be encouraged.

Regards,