Last edited Sun Mar 19, 2023, 10:22 AM - Edit history (1)

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So, while this is one way to catch those with electric vehicles, it really does screw gas drivers.

They should just transponder EVs and let the gas tax that is to fund roadways cover the conventional vehicles.

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As they always would say about ther NJTPK, once the toll got in place it would never go away because there would be a whole administration and bonding structure put in place that would never go away. With the NJTPK, its toll system was to have been short lived once the bonds were paid off. So, what do they do? They just float more bonds so they never expire.

This is going to build a whole roadway administration and maintenance system, as once it becomes a toll road, gasoline tax from the feds disappears. People with gasoline cars will essentially get double taxed.

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rest of the article, so I'll defer to your reading of the whole thing.

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There will be the following:

1) An administrations board who will be paid six to seven figures each.
2) Multi-million dollar bond contracts to chosen financial institutions to manage the bonds.
3) Employees to work toll and maintenance, along with the provisioned equipment.
4) Contracts to gasoline and rest stop companies and food merchants.
5) Purchase of toll scanners and cameras to capture toll evaders and the firm processing those issues.
6) Bid contracts to towing companies, as AAA and other car clubs will not be allowed on it.

And a whole bunch of other things.

People will still drive, whether there is a toll road or not. That excuse they give to reduce traffic is very weak and does not pan out with the scores of other toll systems across the USA. People have to drive to work, and can't afford hours on a bus or relocation.

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I voted for the fucking guy and I was a daily turnpike driver. He wanted to float and additional $30 Billion bond and have half the money go to the turnpike and half go to balance his budget. That one time shot would have resulted in $120B by the time it was paid off in 75 years, with a possible (and you know probable) 15-year extension. He wanted to choose a politically chosen company to manage the bond for tens of millions. It would have jacked up an Exit 7A - 14C commute to almost $70 a day! He wanted people getting on at Exit 1 and riding the full length to pay $100 each way! Needless to say, not many people could absorb paying that much money, especially when there aren't really any open roadways that takes you up there easily.

This had me research all about how the NJTPK is nothing but a political patronage pit.

I forgot, he also wanted to create a separate board for this too, where the board's salary would be in the multi-millions per year. Over that 75 year period the board's salary alone would have been in the billions.

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to admin. bonds, other state-related financial instruments, bank accounts, etc.?

-employees already maintaining roads, other related infrastructure, etc.,

-contracts let out for perhaps for some out-of-the-way or locations located in the least desirable portion of state highways (if there's not a town nearby), as well as towing services (if needed) at these locations too. But usually supply and demand arises to the challenge, that is, if 50 cars/trucks need help every week or so, then a business will probably end up opening to capture that business.

-Cameras? Depends on the location I guess, a lot of inner cities have them, to highlight trouble spots so the state can send the appropriate transportation vehicles to resolve any spotted issues.

-and this is usually all paid for by higher gasoline taxes for the most part...

And a bonus, I guess, is that the highways under toll are supposed in better shape.

Just my 2 cents' worth.

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If there already is a toll road commission, they could just merge the roadway system with it, but more than likely, they will create a new Bay Area Turnpike Commission. After all, how can you plug in your patronage friends and political appointees to high-paying administrative jobs? Some will go to both parties so they can get the project passed, and then comes the selection of candidates.

Then the financial and other contracts will be handled separately. This way, they will be in control of their own domain and not answerable to any other wider commission.

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they do that, or it isn’t fair. It won’t stop those with means from paying it, but discriminate against those who can’t afford it.

Perhaps some of this can be dealt with by allowing more people to work from home

That said, a luxury vehicle would undoubtedly pay the same as a beater driven by someone making minimum wage. And tolls are flat, not graduated, nor a percentage, so the economic impact hits the poorest most.

Look for this to get voted down, unless MTC is one of those authorities that has divine right.

WFH works a lot better. Companies could pay per cubby, BUT THAT WOULD BE TAXING THE WEALTHY.
And by the way, attacking the symptom does not attack the underlying cause, the highly prized concentration of jobs.

FWIW, I commuted for almost 10 years on BART to jobs.
But those were in Berkeley and SF, extremely handy to BART.
The rest weren't.

And use the archive.
https://archive.ph/ROvEd

Go to archive.ph and paste the URL.
For reasons probably having to do with my long list of browser extensions, it was not blocked for me.
Try clearing cookies now and then.

and commute from cities like Vacaville and Tracy.

Since 99% of the vehicle traffic will be EV?

My college career was facilitated well, riding BART non-commute hours. It provided me those few valuable minutes of study time each day. Typical city resident: did relatively well without a vehicle. My other half and I used rent-a-wreck (affordable alternative in those days) for weekend Big Sur and other camping excursions.
Then there was the maddening aspect of "WTF" up with 5 MUNI buses all coming in a row after an hour of none... plenty of steamed passengers.
Coming full circle I realize my retirement will be best accomplished mostly surrendering "the car keys" except for short grocery market trips. I'll still be depending on BART to the doctor. Bay area remains the most transit served area in the entire western U.S.
But I'll stay off the damn freeways. Drivers are generally way too crazy for me to contend with anymore.

The entire Bay Area was "overwhelmed with miserable traffic congestion" in the 80s. That's why I left.

I spent 30 years in the south bay and the peninsula. '61 to '91.

Just like the A-holes celebrating high gas prices. What the hell has become of the left.

People need to drive to get work done. The more expensive you make it, the more EVERYTHING costs.

Want to control inflation- get gasoline down where it should be, a buck or two a gallon. Want to make everything insanely expensive? Make it cost even MORE for every plumber, electrician, gardener and other WORKING person to go about their business.

My sympathies are with my friends; we're Democrats, sure. And we drive big-ass trucks because we do your plumbing, your roof, your lawn. Government should have as its priority making things as inexpensive and supportive for the WORKING PEOPLE as possible. The people that matter to ME, those of us who sweat, get dirty, build and maintain stuff. We need cheap gas, fast freeways, copious parking, low taxes and to be as much of a priority as anyone cranking out code or marching for social justice.

The Democratic party should be the party of the WORKERS. And the workers often drive trucks and we all live one place and work another.

May anyone supporting it NEVER be able to find an honest, competent tradesman or anything other than the most expensive eggs, milk, furniture or clothing on the planet.

Heartless and brainless, a sop to those who loath and despise hard working men and women.