OT: Md. Tolls increase

[aa3jy]

For those whom are not aware but all of Maryland tolls have increased approx. 62% as of Nov.1, 2011

[Flybyknight]

Re-elect nobody!

[Rick486]

Sheeeessshh. I travel through a tiny sliver of MD on Rte 95 and I think it costs me more than the entire rest of the trip to FL.

[WouldaShoulda]

I'm confident that every corner of Government waste was thoroughly scoured before enacting such a necessity!!

[Rick486]

Originally Posted by WouldaShoulda

I'm confident that every corner of Government waste was thoroughly scoured before enacting such a necessity!!

Well, if you actually saw the toll "plaza" they have been constructing for 2 years to fleece passers-through, you would perhaps feel different :-). Last spring they had traffic backed up for hours in both E and W bound so they could collect during construction. The toll "booth: is actually a 3 story structure bridging 8 lanes of traffic. Must be offices for a couple hundred NJ unionized toll collectors up above the road where they can count each and every "ka-ching". :-)

[Rick486]

Sorry NJ. Of course I meant MD unionized toll collectors. I think NJ laid off their toll collectors union. :-)

[WouldaShoulda]

Fortunately, only the filthy rich pay Maryland's new toll and booze taxes.

Screw them!!

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by WouldaShoulda

Fortunately, only the filthy rich pay Maryland's new toll and booze taxes.

Screw them!!

Now you're catching on.

Seen the latest redistricting in MD? The way they carved a slice here, a lump there to form districts that look like spaghetti and meatballs, you'll never have another Republican elected even to dog catcher.

Now the "oppressed" can simply vote themselves more and more dollars from the pockets of the "filthy rich".

[chef2sail]

This is not meant to start a whole political diatribe on MD state govt....just the tolls for the bridges, tunnels and roads. I m sure this is an unpopolular opinion but:

I beleive 100% in this USERS TAX...

I think those who use a road, a tunnel and bridge should pay for its upkeep and not burden the rest of the general population to pay for it.

The alternative is the state doesnt have enough money and the bridges and tunnels go into major disrepair. You would be the first ones complainig about the potholes on the bridge, or it was closed if it was declared unsafe do to lack of maintainence. I also agree with tolls funding the Intercounty connector...it built it and it can maintain it.

Understand also I commute from the Towson area to Washington, D.C everyday and have to pass through or over these tunnels and bridges every day. I dont feel others should have to pay for my use of them.

Dave

[aa3jy]

I have no argument about the 'pay for the use' philosophy. My point was the amount of the '%' increase. Also, as an avid motorcycle rider there was no provision for discounts for those that do ride who either pay in cash or use EZ Pass. In other words motorcycles pay the same as any other two axle vehicle.