HRTA studies…. tolls!

One Response to “HRTA studies…. tolls!”

1. 

   What the report is not considering, nor have legislators who voted for HB3202 is the enormous OVERHEAD of administering tolls. If we use the old 44 Expressway as an example, fully 90% of the money collected with tolls GOES TO OVERHEAD. Here’s what isn’t considered in the toll equation:

   1-got to hire more VDOT employee’s to collect tolls.
   2-those employee’s need, health insurance, leave, comp time , sick leave and lets not forget the generous state retirement system.
   3-tolls booths construction.
   4-the EZ-Pass lie. EZ-Pass is not easy and in fact, in every state its been used, there have been major scandals of ebezzlement and fraud, in the administration of them.
   5-EZ Pass equipment not only is expensive but it breaks down often, so you’ve got to include the technical folks to fix them, and they of course have to have, health insurance, leave, comp time , sick leave and lets not forget the generous state retirement system.
   6-Got to have a TOLL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, then you have to staff that building with highly paid accountants, toll supervisors and of course they all get, health insurance, leave, comp time , sick leave and lets not forget the generous state retirement system.
   7-Of course you must have a TOLL ADMINISTRATOR who will get at least a 6-figure salary, a vehicle, travel to other toll facilities and Tolls Conferences and don’t forget to include: health insurance, leave, comp time , sick leave and lets not forget the generous state retirement system.
   8-We already know from HB 3202 that that money collected can go to a variety of functions, that are not road related. Everything from “recreational and cultural events” to “parking lots at the beach”, so factor in the pork projects this money will be funneled to.

   Tolls are the single most expensive means of collecting money. Not to mention that the majority of the money that is collected, DOES NOT GO TO ROADS, BUT TO THE OVERHEAD OF COLLECTING TOLLS.

   But the most important issue to motorists is that Tolls will slow traffic down, and cause more congestion on our already congested roads.

   Tolls are a bad idea and only ignorant politicians and uninformed people promote them.

   Posted by Bill Temple | Sunday, October 21, 2007, 8:56 am