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Toll cuts ‘could’ boost revenue, Md. transportation chief says

September 3rd, 2019 by WCBC Radio

If a series of proposed changes goes into effect, Maryland motorists who drive certain vehicles will get a break at the toll booth, and those who refuse to get an E-ZPass transponder will gain new, faster ways of paying their tolls.

The changes are among several that the Maryland Transportation Authority board recommended in July. A public comment period runs until Oct. 3 and the first of nine public hearings is being held Tuesday evening.

The proposals are part of a gradual push by the state toward cashless tolling.

There are three basic changes the authority is recommending:

— Tweaks to the state’s vehicle classification would make it possible for “light” two-axle vehicles pulling a car or a trailer — like an RV towing a car or a landscaping truck pulling an equipment trailer — to pay less than they do now. Currently, such vehicles pay the same toll as heavier trucks.

RV’s or small trucks pulling a single-axle vehicle would get a 25% discount; those pulling a two-axle vehicle would see a 17% discount.

MDTA Executive Director James F. Ports Jr. said motorists, particularly small-business owners, have been asking for those reclassifications “for decades.

4 Responses to “Toll cuts ‘could’ boost revenue, Md. transportation chief says”

  1. September 03, 2019 at 1:48 pm, Brian said:

    make the Beltway a toll road so the people Western Maryland don’t have to keep paying for roads and Metro in DC

    Reply

  2. September 03, 2019 at 4:49 pm, Martin D Fornwalt said:

    You know, I’m glad, I don’t have to use these “TOLL ROADS” in my daily travels. They, our “ELECTED” use our tax dollars. To build these highways. And then gouge people to drive on them. This practice, to keep gouging the TAX PAYERS in Maryland must and should stop. We see these “CLOWNS” like every 4 years, to lie and get re-elected! TIME THEY STOP GETTING VOTES! Give them UNEMPLOYMENT! INSTEAD!

    Reply

    • September 04, 2019 at 1:35 am, Bob Walker said:

      Its clearly obvious to me you have no idea what you are talking about! Tell me where in the state of Maryland is there a toll road! I’ve lived and worked in the Baltimore/Washington Metropolitan area for over 30 years and I have never seen or paid a toll on any roads in Maryland. The tolls this article is talking about are for the bridges like the two Bay Bridges, the Key Bridge, and the Susquehanna River Bridge & also the Harbor Tunnels. The only toll roads I know of in the nearby area are in PA on the turnpike and in Delaware between Maryland and New Jersey. The tolls in Maryland are for the upkeep & repair of the bridges & tunnels and most of the highways traveled to access them are Interstate Highways. Perhaps you should to get out of western Maryland more often.

      Reply

      • September 04, 2019 at 9:39 am, Bob Walker said:

        How long does it take to moderate a reply?
        I don’t believe my reply was in violation of any rules, I just simply corrected a lot of unintelligent, wild and false accusations concerning toll roads in Maryland that could be very misleading to other readers who don’t know any better.

        Reply

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