State looks at all-electronic toll collection

The Baltimore Sun ^ | March 13, 2012 | Candus Thomson

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Maryland may eventually do away with tollbooths on the state's highways, bridges and tunnels and switch to electronic toll collection.

A preliminary report by the Maryland Transportation Authority concluded that converting its seven toll plazas is feasible but would cost as much as $180 million.

Transportation officials initiated the study as they look for long-term savings and ways to reduce travel time and increase highway safety.

"It's something we're interested in doing. It's something the industry is moving toward. But it's complicated and we're in the earliest stages," said Harold Bartlett, the transportation authority's executive secretary.

At least eight states are converting some highways to cash-free toll collection. And Pennsylvania is considering the elimination of cash toll collection on its turnpike.

Maryland's toll takers — there are 194 — would likely be shifted into openings at remaining toll sites or trained to process electronic transactions, Bartlett said.

However, Patrick Moran, Maryland director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, dismissed the likelihood of retraining and said electronic tolling would hurt toll takers.

"We take it as a serious threat," he said.

Some of the toll takers are AFSCME members, Moran said, but none are represented in collective bargaining. As a result of the electronic tolling plan, the union has proposed legislation that would allow it to represent toll takers, he said.

Maryland's only entirely electronic toll road is the recently opened Intercounty Connector between Interstate 270 in Gaithersburg and I-95 in Laurel. More than 85 percent of motorists who drive the connector use E-ZPass; the rest are billed by mail. Non-E-ZPass motorists pay 1.5 times the base rate.

[cyclotic]

I live in MD but I have PA EZ-Passes. No monthly fee. I bought one before I moved here, the other after.

[the OlLine Rebel]

“the rest are billed by mai”

See this is what gets me. How can this work for temporary users, passing through on their vacation?

How do they bill by mail? The evil cameras on license plates? Again, like lights/speeding, how do they know it’s not stolen? Borrowed? Or that the owner is in the car at all?

When are they going to use records of where our cars were against us?

I hate this Orwellian stuff.

[sickoflibs]

RE :”I live in MD but I have PA EZ-Passes. No monthly fee. I bought one before I moved here, the other after.”

And I thought someone here told me that PA will give them to MD residents with MD plates but I could be mistaken.

[sickoflibs]

Just checked. PA will give them to MD residents and PA charges $6.00 per year, MD charges $24 per year. Another opportunity to stick it to O malley I say.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

That will cost jobs. In MD E-ZPass costs include:
All new or replacement devices must be purchased. The following rates apply for
transponders:
Standard - $21.00
A monthly account charge of $1.50 will be deducted from all E-ZPass Maryland accounts.
In Delaware:
FEE SCHEDULE
Transponder fee ..............$25.00 Transponder misuse administrative fees.........Up to $50.00
Returned ACH/check fee..$25.00
Optional monthly statement fee..............$1.00 per month
In Virginia:

A minimum toll prepayment is $35 plus a $25 security deposit per transponder. The security deposit is waived if you choose to replenish you account using automatic replenishment via your bank account with a credit card (not linked to the same bank account) as back up. Plus a dollar charge for a monthly report.
Delaware or Virginia residency not required.