toll increases

Typical tolls on the Dulles Toll Road in northern Virginia rose from $1.25 to $1.75 or 40%  this morning (Friday Jan 1). This is the first of three annual toll increases aimed to raise tolls 80% by 2012 that were formally adopted by the toll operator - Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) - last year.

Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority (WMAA) will proceed with a  phased-in option of toll increases proposed by staff. The board voted today to go with a plan that would raise tolls at the mainline plaza 25c/year over the next three years: 75c, $1.00, $1.25 and $1.50. Ramp tolls would go up 25c to 75c and remain at that level. The first toll increases are likely early 2010.

Tolls on the bridges and tunnels in New York City operated by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority go up 10% July 12

Verrazano bridge tolls levied one-way only will be for cars $9.14 with an E-ZPass transponder, $5.48 for Staten Island residents with E-ZPass and for them with a Resident token $7.35, and $11 cash.

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority in its protracted bargaining with the state today (2008-06-24) postponed a scheduled meeting on toll rates to Monday (2008-06-29). The Turnpike has voted to raise tolls by about 60% July 1, but board members say they'll cancel the hikes if they get $100m/year in support from the state budget. That $100m/year subsidy must continue for the term of $2200m of bonds they floated to pay for the untolled Big Dig.

The state governor, house speaker and senate president today released a joint statement calling on the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority board of directors to defer the March 29 toll increase they voted at their last meeting. This is a U-turn by the Governor Deval Patrick.

It's time to abolish public hearings on toll increases in Massachusetts. They are a waste of the time of toll authority's staff and officials, who would be better deployed spending their evenings relaxing at home. Public meetings don't attract any cross section of the general public. They are a magnet for a few grandstanders, the disaffected and stupids, especially politicians.

Maryland Transportation (Toll) Authority (MdTA) almost a lone among toll agencies around the US is proposing to freeze car tolls and put the burden of toll inflation heavily on truckers with a mostly 50% increase. Charges for transponders are also to be increased. The truck & transponder heavy plan is aimed to increase revenues by $60m/year on the $280m of FY2008. That's a 21.4% increase.

Margate Bridge Company in Margate NJ raised its tolls today. Frequent users who buy a proximity card with credits for 100 car trips will now pay $1.00 a trip compared to 80c previously, and cash payers will fork over $1.50 compared to $1.00 before. An official statement (see in full at end) cites high costs of maintenance of the near 80 year old bridge as rationale for the toll increases.

Maine Turnpike Authority decided this week on toll increases intended to increase revenues by about $20m/year or 25%. It adopted one of three toll increase scenarios taken to public meetings and discussed by a citizens advisory committee. Cash and foreign transponder tolls (non-Maine IAG E-ZPass) will rise an average of 55% and Maine transponder tolls (Maine E-ZPass) 18%.

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC or Penn Pike) has released details of approximate 25% increases in tolls to go into effect Jan 4, 2009. The increases were foreshadowed in the summer of 2007 as part of the Turnpike's commitment to the state under Act 44 to make large annual payment to the state DOT for the support of its non-tolled roads and loss-making transit.

Ohio Turnpike Commission's board has approved public hearings on new toll rates to take effect the fourth quarter of 2009 when electronic tolling is due to begin. The proposal also involves a second round of increases Jan 1, 2012. In late 2009 the Commission will keep current toll rates for cars using transponders, but hike the cash toll rates substantially - for cars by 48%.

Maine Turnpike Authority (MeTA) is moving to raise tolls earlier than previously planned to have the funds to sustain its program of highway and bridge rehabilitation in the face of less traffic.  They are looking to raise an extra $20m/year over current revenues of $83m now - an increase of 24% by our calculation.

The board of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority voted unanimously today to raise tolls around 40% immediately and another 50% in 2012. A similar 50% toll hike now was voted today by the South Jersey Transportation Authority, operator of the Atlantic City Expressway.

Toll increases on the New Jersey Turnpike are being trimmed slightly in response to criticism, according to Turnpike officials but they will still be substantial under revised proposals released today. Car tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike will be increased on an average trip from $1.20 to $1.70 (+50c) rather than to $1.80 (+60c) as announced September 4. Truck tolls also will be increased slightly less on the Turnpike than proposed a month ago.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority board in a 3-page letter to Governor Jon Corzine says it cannot meet debt service obligations next year, nor fund capital projects without a substantial toll increase. They propose an increase in Turnpike car tolls of 60c in 2009, and 90c in 2012, and of 15c and 25c on the Garden State Parkway. The decision is unanimous and supported by the the Authority chairman Kris Kolluri who is also Corzine's secretary of transportation.

USA Today had an article (2008-01-28) saying tolls are getting "dramatically more expensive." There are certainly some large increases in US tolls, but in line with industry practice many tolls have been frozen for quite a number of years so it is unclear what it means on an annual basis.

Toronto's 407ETR has announced a new toll policy in which tolls will be raised most aggressively on the busiest segments in peak hours. Light vehicle tolls (<5 tons) are increasing from 17.6c/km to 19.25c/km (28.3c/mi to 32c/mile) or by 9.4% in peak hours on the busy 8 and 10 lane central stretch between Highway 401 and Highway 404. (All based on Cc=USc)

That's a 1.65c/km increase (2.7c/mi). The toll increases will apply from Feb 1.

The Orlando Sentinel quotes top officials of the Orlando Orange County (Toll) Expressway Authority (OOCEA or Orlando Toll) as saying they are working on new plans for the Wekiva Parkway, a $2b 40km (25mi) highway in the northwest of the metro area, which would close the last gap in a belt route and, with a spur, make for the beginnings of an expressway west.

The Sentinel quotes OOCEA chairman and Orlando County mayor Rich Crotty: "Closing the loop is critical."

The five member board of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority voted this morning for toll increases that will raise 15% more revenue on the Boston area portion of the Turnpike, taking toll takings on the three toll tunnels and the Turnpike east of MA128/I-95 from $152m now to $175m, a Turnpike spokesman told us. The proposal has to go to public hearings for comment and then he confirmed - or not - at a subsequent meeting of the board.

New Hampshire's Executive Council voted yesterday 4 to 1 to raise state toll rates by an overall 29%. Toll revenues are expected to rise from the present $82m/yr to $106m on a full year basis. It's the first toll increase since 1989 during which time the buying power of the dollar has eroded 38.6%. (http://www.measuringworth.com/ppowerus/)