Force trucks to the toll roads. Problem solved.
Posted on 10/19/2018 10:28:11 AM PDT by lowbridge
The recent 35% increase in truck only tolls on roadways in Indiana has led to some unintended consequences – truckers are now avoiding the toll roads altogether and are instead using back roads not meant for large commercial vehicles.
The toll increase went into effect on October 5th of this year as part of a $1 billion infrastructure plan by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, who claims that the 35% truck-only toll increase is fair because of the damage large trucks do to roadways, despite the fact that much of the money raised by the tolls will be used for improving the state’s railroads, airports, ship ports, walking and biking trails, and even broadband internet – none of which have to do with the roadways truckers are now paying heavily to use.
Now that the increase has been in effect for several weeks, state officials who previously ignored naysayers who advised that the toll hike would deter truckers entirely are noticing a decrease in toll road users and an increase in commercial truck’s usage of back roads such as US Highway 30, US Highway 6, and US Highway 331, reported ABC 57.
“I think that with the regular increases that we’ve had here and then seeing a 35 percent increase again I think you’ll find a lot of traffic is going to leave those [toll] lanes,” explained Chief Strategy Officer of Holver Lines, Carl Svendsen.
“They may make the decision to go on a different highway and that highway may not be designed to handle truck traffic in significant volumes,” he continued – and that’s exactly what is happening.
(Excerpt) Read more at livetrucking.com ...
They really are that stupid, aren't they...
Build it and they will reroute....
If you want less of something...tax it. If you want more of something, don't tax it.
Facepalm.
Take the profit out of delivering goods to your state and see how soon the shelves become empty.
We haul FOR MONEY, not for fun.
VP Pence’s former LT Gov. Even Repubs can be stupid. Oh wait... Stupid party... Got it.
Indiana, Pence’s home state, sounds incredibly stupid for making a tax on roads to fund railroads and bicycles.
The government appetite for revenue is voracious and without end. The solution is not to raise tolls but to reduce government fraud and waste.
Force trucks to the toll roads. Problem solved.
We don’t have Tolls where I live so I think Tolls are a rip off ,don’t gas taxes pay for roads
Signs on all secondary roads prohibiting trucks. Sheesh. I should run for office. Well, except for that time.............
Stop delivering toilet paper and diapers to the capital. Everything from shoestrings to car keys requires trucks.
I think gas taxes are for “slush”, i.e., anything we want to spend it on except roads.
Exactly, the taxes sure as heck aren't going into Algor's lockbox.
Non-toll roads are designed to force us onto toll roads. I can go to work, 22 miles, in 25 minutes costing $5 one one way. Same trip on non-toll roads, 90 minutes.
It’s a big scam.
>>Force trucks to the toll roads. Problem solved.<<
Probably illegal and/or unconstitutional.
This was decided during the depression when the governor of California sent CHP to stop immigrants from the dust bowl from coming in.
SCOTUS decided it is unconstitutional to inhibit free travel inside the USA.
I could be wrong about the applicability but I think in every case there is a toll road there is a free (if MUCH LONGER) alternative.
Subject to someone telling me otherwise.
EXCACTLY! Indiana just recently raised our fuel tax at the pump for this reason. We now pay some of the highest fuel prices in the country.
Officials pooch the screw.. again. OOops.
Unintended consequences strikes again.
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