The Southern Maryland Delegation heard a presentation by Ronald Freeland, Executive Secretary of the Maryland Transportation Authority concerning their proposal to raise toll rates on multi-axle vehicles and begin charging E-Z Pass commuters a monthly service charge.
The changes are within the authority of the MTA and there is no legislation pending. However, many members of the Delegation have received questions from their constituents about these cost increases.
Freeland reported there have been no changes in the tolls since 2003; and in comparing nearby states, Maryland tolls are at or near the bottom. The cost recovery proposals do not change standard two-axle and commuter toll rates.
The MTA is charged $2.25 per month per account for E-Z Pass customers. Since 1999 MTA has absorbed these charges, but the current economic climate requires them to pass a portion of the charge on to customers. The trucking community has expressed concern about the increase in their toll costs in this slow economy; and the motorcycle community has questioned the application of multi-axle designation to those motorcycles towing a storage cart.
Of course, Charles county commuters who use the Nice Bridge are both concerned about the monthly service charge and concerned that the increases in tolls may be extended to standard two axle cars. The Delegation did ask the MTA to either phase in the increases or delay the increases and spend more time in explaining these increases to the public.