LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The Maryland Dept. of Transportation plan to raise tolls for vehicles with 3 or more axles in not the right thing to do. Trucks and
buses already pay enough in tolls and taxes. The new plans for EZ Pass are also not fair. If the state wants to raise the toll rates, fine. Do it for those who insist on using cash. Don't punish the EZ Pass users.
I drive one of those 3 axle vehicles on I-95, the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, the Bay Bridge, and the Gov. Nice Bridge frequently. As I pass by the tolls I see far too many people sitting there waiting in long lines to pay cash. What makes things even harder for commercial vehicles is having restricted lanes they can not use if they weigh over 5 tons GVW—thus they have to navigate through lanes being backed up by cash-paying cars.
EZ pass has been around for some time, yet people refuse to consider getting one. The people with EZ Pass should receive the benefits of not having to wait on long lines. This would also cut down on air pollution.
As for my private vehicles, I think it is outrageous to have a $1.50 monthly fee as a casual user. Adding an $18/year burden to use the EZ Pass when people are looking to cut costs is wrong. I believe this will force casual users to give up the pass and go back to cash—which puts those people back at square one.
Cut us EZ pass users a break. That was the whole concept of the EZ pass. Let's not make it the Not So EZ Pass.
M. Brettler
La Plata, Md.
Reference: COST-RECOVERY EFFORTS PROPOSED FOR MARYLAND’S TOLL FACILITIES
http://www.mdot.state.md.us/News/2009/January/MdTA%20Toll%20Recovery.htm