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

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.

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

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

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.

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?