State wants to raise truck tolls, E-ZPass fees

A trip over the Bay Bridge could become more expensive for truck drivers, people pulling trailers and E-ZPass commuters, but tolls for other drivers should remain unchanged.

The Maryland Transportation Authority is considering increasing E-ZPass fees and toll rates for truck drivers and other multi-axle vehicles at toll locations across the state. The changes are expected to raise $60 million at a time when the authority is dealing with declining revenue, officials said.

The authority is expected to vote on the issue at its regularly scheduled meeting Jan. 29. Public comment on the issue is being taken through Jan. 27.

Officials said the changes are being considered because of rising expenses and a smaller revenue pool. The authority's operating expenses increased 11 percent from fiscal 2006 to $332 million in fiscal 2007, the latest figures available from the authority.

Meanwhile, authority officials said revenue decreased 6 percent from July to November.

"We're following the national trend of traffic (and toll revenue) being down nationally," said Cheryl Sparks, an authority spokesman. "This is not something we face alone as a toll agency. Other toll agencies' are down … here in Maryland and nationally."

If passed, some fee increases would go into effect on April 15.

At that time, toll rates on the Bay Bridge would increase from $5 to $9 for three-axle vehicles, from $7.50 to $12 for four axles, from $10 to $15 for five axles and from $12.50 to $18 for six axles or more.

That mean a person pulling a fishing boat on a tandem axle trailer would pay $12 instead of the current $7.50.

Similar fee increases would be implemented at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the Fort McHenry and Baltimore Harbor tunnels, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Hatem Bridge and Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge.

The E-ZPass fees would go into effect July 1. The changes include a $1.50 monthly account-maintenance charge and the cost for new and replacement transponders would be $21 for standard, $33 for exterior and $40 for fusion.

Also, toll violations would increase from $15 to $25.

Current E-ZPass plans offer commuters a number of trips that are valid for 60 days. If the proposal passes, this duration will be reduced to 45 days. The state's toll-rate schedule was last adjusted in 2003, but that did not include increases to the E-ZPass system. The authority has absorbed E-ZPass costs in the past, Ms. Sparks said.

Some commuters have become dependent on the E-ZPass system, since they provide a way to avoid the lines at the toll plazas.

It takes Centreville resident Sveinn Storm about 40 minutes to commute to his job in Annapolis. He said the drive would be much more difficult without the E-ZPass transponder he keeps on his windshield. His wife uses E-ZPass, as well.

"It's amazing that in difficult economic times that the government would even consider this," Mr. Storm said. "I can't even remember when I've been without (E-ZPass). It's so much more convenient."

The toll revenue is used to pay for a six-year, $3.8 billion capital program that includes preservation, safety and improvement projects around the state. With the Bay Bridge, workers are in the midst of a $60 million renovation project that is expected to be complete in 2010.

Elsewhere in the state, toll money has gone toward toll plaza improvements at the Nice Bridge, upgraded lighting at the Baltimore Harbor tunnel and higher-speed E-ZPass lanes.