'Substantial' toll hikes in the works for turnpike, tunnels

Bonus fun quote:

"The last thing I'd want to be associated with is another Longfellow Bridge," [Turnpike Executive Director Alan] LeBovidge said, referring to the 102-year-old span over the Charles River that had to be partially closed this summer when it fell into disrepair.

Yeah, because we all know how well built those turnpike-controlled Big Dig tunnels are.

Posted In

Submitted by adamg on Thu, 09/25/2008 - 1:44pm.

$8.50 tunnel tolls?

Looks like Routes 16 and 99 are about to get really busy.

Will LaTulippe | Thu, 09/25/2008 - 2:23pm

Cab fare

Can I get a federal bailout for my cab fare to the airport?

Kaz | Thu, 09/25/2008 - 2:24pm

Sure

Sure, the technical name for it is the Silver Line.

yuppiescum | Thu, 09/25/2008 - 3:36pm

Why didnt we put tolls on

Why didnt we put tolls on I-93 again?

Its extremely unjust that only east-west commuters get to bear all the cost.

Forget tolls, increase the gas tax, which hits everyone.

Or at least forget toll increases, and get some transponders on I-93.

J | Thu, 09/25/2008 - 3:34pm

Agree completely

Eliminate tax dollars for roads. Make the users pay for them.

Will LaTulippe | Thu, 09/25/2008 - 10:11pm

About time

It will be nice when the days of taxpayer-funded subsidies for roads come to an end.

Othemts | Thu, 09/25/2008 - 6:50pm

Once again: Why no north/south tolls?

The Outraged Liberal gets outraged again over the news of impending east/west toll hikes.

adamg | Thu, 09/25/2008 - 10:14pm

What about the Tobin?

It does swing east/west at the bridge, but Rt. 1 North/South has a toll there.

SwirlyGrrl | Fri, 09/26/2008 - 6:56am

Just the fact that the Pike board is considering substantial toll hikes is a good sign, and perhaps a harbinger of additional responsible revenue action like north/south tolls on I-93 (yup, transponders!) and stemming the erosion of the gas tax with a responsible gas tax increase.

Sean | Thu, 09/25/2008 - 10:36pm

Maybe they ought to rethink

Maybe they ought to rethink those outrageous $70K salaries, on average, they are paying to toll collectors. Are they serious? $70K to make change and occasionally hand out a receipt?

I heard this on NPR as I was waking up, and so I tried to find a reference, but the only figures I could find were from 2006, which is still damning.

Mass Pike's costs

The task force lists some striking examples of the Turnpike overpaying staff with electricians getting $82k vs $49k at the DOT, mechanics $63k vs $50k, and maintenance workers $55k vs $39k.

Under the heading "Overcompensation" the report notes that bank tellers make about $11/hr or $30k/yr and with benefits cost the banks about $41k/yr. MTA toll collectors however get $56k in wages plus $10k in benefits costing $66k/yr. They also get more generous leave at 6 weeks/yr, holidays plus 15 sick days. And they take an average of $3.3k/yr in workers compensation payments.

Apparently, that wasn't enough compensation to keep them from stealing. Greedy much?

SpottedLop | Fri, 09/26/2008 - 6:46am