toll increase

Tolls on the all-electronic 407ETR tollroad in Toronto are being rejigged Feb 1, 2009 to add a per trip charge of 25c (all rates quoted are Canadian dollar presently 82c US) - effectively a seven percent increase in toll rates. They are also increasing per-kilometer peakhour charges slightly. Offpeak toll rates will be unchanged and special video tolling charges are being reduced a bit.

Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC) is imposing a $1/month administration fee and trimming discounts for E-ZPass electronic tolling in order to raise an extra $5m/yr to compensate for dropping traffic. That's about a 7% addition to toll revenue of $85m in 2007.

Eliminated on January 1 will be:

- 20% casual discount presently given to all E-ZPass transponder users

The state governor's representative at the West Virginia Turnpike says a toll increase is needed. Joe Martin, the chairman of the Turnpike's board is quoted in the local press: "At some point in the near future a toll increase will be necessary."

Martin as Turnpike chairman is the Governor's representative and serves at the Governor's pleasure.

But there is no specific toll hike proposal so far.

Toll rates are due to be increased 50% on the Atlantic City Expressway just after midnight Monday Nov 17 to come into effect Tuesday Nov 18 at 00:01, toller South Jersey Transportation Authority says.

In a bold move to put the Massachusetts Turnpike on a sounder financial footing the board today voted 4 to 1 for big toll increases. They are designed to increase revenues of the metropolitan Boston section (Turnpike Metro) by around 50% or from around $175m/year to $265m, officials said. Some toll rates are doubled.

Board members say they expect to vote on toll increases and a budget for the Massachusetts Turnpike at a meeting tomorrow. The Turnpike has been operating without a formal budget or spending authority since the beginning of the month. Last month's board meeting was postponed at the behest of chairman Bernard Cohen who is keeping his proposals until the meeting tomorrow.

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority's scheduled meeting this week has been deferred for three weeks apparently to keep unpopular news of toll or tax increases until after the Nov 4 elections. Governor Deval Patrick is a close associate of Democrat presidential candidate Barrack Obama.

The Golden Gate Bridge is deferring their toll increases scheduled for Sept 1 to Sept 2. Staff realized belatedly that Sept 1 is Labor Day and a bad day to introduce new toll rates. That's because on holidays they get a lot of occasional users and the most cash payers.

The board of directors has approved a one dollar or 20% increase in the toll on the Golden Gate Bridge to go into effect September 1 making the new toll $6 for cars paying cash and $5 by transponder. The per axle rate for trucks is half the car rate. Tolls are levied only on the southbound direction of travel. Northbound is always free.

The seagull will be eating better come the spring. March 2 the Port Authority New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) will begin garnering tolls at $1,010m/year compared to $710m at present. The board of directors - appointees equally of the governors of New York and New Jersey - made the decision yesterday. PANYNJ tolls the four bridges and two tunnels between northern New Jersey and New York City.