Gothamist: Port Authority Considers Phantom Tollbooths

technicalities

Wed, 16 May 2007 15:36:54 -0500

When the Lincoln Tunnel was built a toll was collected with the understanding that when the cost of constructing the tunnel was recouped the tolls would be abolished. The tunnel has been paid for many times over by now so it should be free. Just about every toll road, bridge, and tunnel in the country started off under this premise. It's time to stop complaining about it. The reality is that roads are expensive to maintain. It isn't like the government is diverting the toll money to the general budget. Tolls are a use tax. As for your use of the word "understanding" things aren't done on a handshake. I remember being told that in Massachusetts the Mass Turnpike was built with borrowed money and that the tolls would end when the bonds were paid off. The state just simply rolled over the bonds so there are never technically paid off.

Roger Bixley

Wed, 16 May 2007 15:19:26 -0500

I'm sure the terrorists will LOVE this idea.

Alli(oop)

Wed, 16 May 2007 14:30:20 -0500

It sounds like people are concerned about access and having to buy a pass in advance. I think it should be a pain in the ass to buy tickets, at least then people may just put down the keys and pick up a bus pass. We make it too easy for everyone in this city. We have a real traffic/pollution problem here and it takes drastic measures to get some results. Drivers will gripe about it for a while, then deal, and finally accept it as the norm. P.S. Pugsley - thanks for that tip about the lincoln tunnel, I never knew that.

penny

Wed, 16 May 2007 13:55:54 -0500

What a great idea. Back home in Australia we have a similar system - but regular users can buy a device they stick under their rear vision mirror which you top up with credit online (or by phone). Non-regular users can go online or call the toll company 1 week before or after their trip and buy single passes. If you drive through without paying they send you a fine.

a

Wed, 16 May 2007 13:46:31 -0500

most traffic here is caused by double parked trucks. do something about that.

pugsley

Wed, 16 May 2007 13:39:16 -0500

Bloomberg has gone crazy with the tolls and congestion pricing. When the Lincoln Tunnel was built a toll was collected with the understanding that when the cost of constructing the tunnel was recouped the tolls would be abolished. The tunnel has been paid for many times over by now so it should be free.

imissdriving

Wed, 16 May 2007 13:18:16 -0500

It will be interesting to see how they pull this off. What about people who don't have ezpass? How will that system of billing them at home seriously work? Based on license plates? What about rental cars? They should start selling expasses in local bodegas to give people better access.

Bob

Wed, 16 May 2007 13:11:13 -0500

But what will the somewhat slow nephews of City Councilmen do for a living?

EZ

Wed, 16 May 2007 13:10:58 -0500

yeah but when 6 - 10 lanes are being squeezed down to two, does it really matter? If the booths are removed, then it will only be the normal amount of lanes from the highway being merged to two. The "diverge - pay toll - merge" will be gone, and so will a lot of the congestion that results from the merge after the booths. Best idea I've heard in a long time.

Reality Czech

Wed, 16 May 2007 12:54:23 -0500

According to a transportation consultant who spoke to the NY Times, "a toll collector can take cash from up to 400 vehicles an hour, while an E-ZPass lane with drivers traveling under 25 miles an hour can handle about 1,400." yeah but when 6 - 10 lanes are being squeezed down to two, does it really matter?

Elderta

Wed, 16 May 2007 12:51:43 -0500

Sounds like toll collectors are going to need new jobs in the future.