"A Cautionary Tale"

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by MOODMAN

Here's the thing about Hwy540 in NC. It was originally State Hwy 147. Apparently the State had some kind of agreement with a private company that wanted to take this road private. Somehow with some political shenanigans, the private company got exclusive rights to that road and made it private.

Now its a toll road. I take it often. The toll comes in the mail and cameras take photos of your license plate as you drive. Its all automatic.

I'm mad that a private company was allowed to take over a State built road and then charge a toll. In their defense, the new company did upgrade the road, and its a good one. But what will stop this trend in America? We have one of the best road systems in the world. Why are we selling off parts of our infrastructure but by bit. Eventually, will we see our country sold off to the highest bidders?

And, a huge portion of these ‘privately-owned” roads are owned by a company in Australia. That just bugs me.

Bruce

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by blackseven

They legally can't waive the fee because the codified authority to collect tolls doesn't provide for exceptions..

Well there are stories in our local paper every once in a while about "Riverlink" and some tell about instances where fees were waived or reduced.

[mharrel]

Originally Posted by spock123

I’m just wondering what would happen if you don’t pay the bill

I got a parking ticket in Lewisburg, PA for $8. That very day I went to pay it but the office was closed. Long story short, that ticket is now $120 and there is a warrant for my arrest in PA. Now, I just avoid Pennsylvania.

[KyDan]

Did you try paying online?

[Lloydg]

I'll be crossing that bridge from Indiana to Kentucky in a few weeks. Don't mind the toll, but my bikes will be covering the licence plate. How's that going to work if the camera can't read it?

[rracer5]

I carry a Sunpass for Florida (wish they'd get their crap together). They supposedly were going to start accepting EZ-Pass 2-3 years ago. But, before that I ended up getting on Florida's Turnpike to avoid I95 knowing I would incur tolls. Toll schedules and signs all over the place. Got a toll-by-plate notice a few weeks later and those cameras are GOOD! Even at 65 mph it got a picture of my front plate, me, DW and if the timing was right, might have caught me pickin' my nose clear as day!

I also have EZ-Pass and NY (original account) requires a different transponder for towing. So, I have a blue one corresponding to my truck & 5er & another regular one for those times sans 5er.

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by Lloydg

bikes will be covering the licence plate.

I'm not sure but that may not even be legal.

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by Lloydg

I'll be crossing that bridge from Indiana to Kentucky in a few weeks. Don't mind the toll, but my bikes will be covering the licence plate. How's that going to work if the camera can't read it?

You might get lucky!
They report a ~ 5% "leakage" rate. It was higher than that but they are getting better with practice and software improvements.

Side note-- I saw a story where some guy in Florida (I think) had a little door that was remote controlled. He could cover his plate and uncover while he drove. He was crossing bridges with plate readers and avoiding the tolls.
Someone behind him saw what was happening and reported him.
He was caught and charged with a FELONY! Yikes!!

[Lloydg]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

I'm not sure but that may not even be legal.

You're correct, but I see it all the time both on cars and RV's where bikes are covering the licence plate. Never heard of anyone getting a ticket, but it could halt a lot of bicycle riding if they do.

[jeporter99]

FYI: Florida has finally announced its reciprocal deal with the rest of the East Coast. You need to update your transponder, but we can finally skip stopping at the toll booths in MD, where we often travel.

[TeachTexas]

Originally Posted by jeporter99

FYI: Florida has finally announced its reciprocal deal with the rest of the East Coast. You need to update your transponder, but we can finally skip stopping at the toll booths in MD, where we often travel.

This is the last information I knew about the Florida interoperability
https://turnpikeinfo.com/news/2018/0...to-understand/
If there is something newer please provide info.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by jeporter99

FYI: Florida has finally announced its reciprocal deal with the rest of the East Coast. You need to update your transponder, but we can finally skip stopping at the toll booths in MD, where we often travel.

I'm assuming you mean Florida people have to update their transponders, not EZPass people???

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by MR.M

worse things is many of these tolls are not operated by the states but are private companies they send a small portion to the state and keep the rest . This should not be allowed .

Can you imagine what it would be like if tolling was done by the State?

First off the equipment would cost a bunch more and wouldn't work correctly for up to 10 years. Next a separate division of state government would have to be created. That would mean a "Director", several "Asst. Directors" and 10 times more people than needed to get the job done.

With private contractors the whole package is their deal and the state gets a cut without all the associated bureaucracy.

Here we have a new bridge across a lake that is tolled and in addition they built a whole lot of "High Occupancy Toll" lanes (HOT). I laugh my butt off when I drive down the free lanes and slowly pass all those who entered the HOT lanes and have to pay $10 when traffic is heavy. I still beat them to their exit and get to keep the $10.

One way or another we're all going to have to pay for roads. Fuel tax isn't cutting it anymore because of higher construction costs and highways/bridges at the end of their lifespan. Consider that most of the Freeway system was built during the LBJ, Nixon, Carter years. Since then there are more cars and trucks using the Interstate system with each consuming less fuel per mile.

More and more states are exploring "Pay by Mile" scenarios in order to make income more in line with use and future cost.

Sorry, they are no longer "Freeways".

[rockfordroo]

If electric vehicles ever become more than hippie fad, fuel tax revenues are going to get a whole lot lower. They'll have to come up with another way to tax the electric vehicles. Tolls? Increased registration fees? Who knows?

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

If electric vehicles ever become more than hippie fad, fuel tax revenues are going to get a whole lot lower. They'll have to come up with another way to tax the electric vehicles. Tolls? Increased registration fees? Who knows?

Are you implying I'm a hippie[emoji16]?

I love my Volt. Saves me from what used to be a $300-$400 monthly fuel bill, all from running around in a 25 mile radius.
I changed out all the lighting in the house to LED and got rid of two old refrigerators. Got one new "Energy Star" rated one. Savings pays for the electricity to "fuel" the Volt.

The state makes up for fuel tax revenue loss by adding a $150 annual electric vehicle fee.

The savings on monthly gas purchases means more money to gas the truck on trips. Jan 1 I start out again.

Hippie? Never owned a tie dyed t shirt, smoked pot, or owned a VW. In college I was ROTC and served in the Army during the 60's. Even missed the "Summer of Love".

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Are you implying I'm a hippie[emoji16]?

I love my Volt. Saves me from what used to be a $300-$400 monthly fuel bill, all from running around in a 25 mile radius.
I changed out all the lighting in the house to LED and got rid of two old refrigerators. Got one new "Energy Star" rated one. Savings pays for the electricity to "fuel" the Volt.

The state makes up for fuel tax revenue loss by adding a $150 annual electric vehicle fee.

The savings on monthly gas purchases means more money to gas the truck on trips. Jan 1 I start out again.

Hippie? Never owned a tie dyed t shirt, smoked pot, or owned a VW. In college I was ROTC and served in the Army during the 60's. Even missed the "Summer of Love".

Maybe you're just a hippie "at heart."

Or maybe you're just devout.

They call the Toyota Prius the Toyota Pious in my neck of the woods.

What's funny is that with all that torque, they pull away from a red light like they're pedaling it.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Maybe you're just a hippie "at heart."

Or maybe you're just devout.

They call the Toyota Prius the Toyota Pious in my neck of the woods.

What's funny is that with all that torque, they pull away from a red light like they're pedaling it.

I should take you for a ride in my Volt. If I select "Sport Mode" and floor it when the light turns green you wouldn't be able to grab a $100 bill taped to the dash.

Sport mode isnt that good for "miles per kilowatt" but the torque is definitely there and being put to the road.[emoji41][emoji41]

[spock123]

Sooner rather than later it’s going to be Pay by the Mile as there are to many electric vehicles on the road who pay no fuel tax, it’s not fair. Plus vehicles get better fuel mileage now than just a few years ago. It’s the only fair way to collect fuel taxes

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by spock123

Sooner rather than later it’s going to be Pay by the Mile as there are to many electric vehicles on the road who pay no fuel tax, it’s not fair. Plus vehicles get better fuel mileage now than just a few years ago. It’s the only fair way to collect fuel taxes

Like I said earlier, my State has added an "Electric Vehicle" surcharge to the annual license fee. An extra $150.

That covers about 300 gallons of gas that I don't purchase at our current $0.494 per gallon fuel tax. The Fed's haven't figured out how to make up for their $0.184 per gallon tax yet. In fact they gave me a $7500 tax credit when I bought the car.

Can't wait for "Pay by mile" and I'm sure it will be in ADDITION to the existing fuel taxes.

Big gripe here in WA is how our "Highway Dollars" (from fuel tax) keep getting diverted to Bike Lanes and "Art" to decorate bridge abutments, sound walls, etc. Millions (if not billions) spent for the benefit of those who pay no highway related taxes (bike riders) and art, which gets covered with local miscreant's version of art from Krylon cans.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

....

.......
Big gripe here in WA is how our "Highway Dollars" (from fuel tax) keep getting diverted to Bike Lanes and "Art" to decorate bridge abutments, sound walls, etc. Millions (if not billions) spent for the benefit of those who pay no highway related taxes (bike riders) and art, which gets covered with local miscreant's version of art from Krylon cans.

Well, why wouldn’t you expect that. Your state borders the Pacific Ocean.