Turnpike Hikes Imminent

[Rattlesnake Gal]

It looks like a there will be a rate hike at NH tollbooths. E-ZPass discount could be changing too.

Union Leader Story

Fosters Online Story

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

It looks like a there will be a rate hike at NH tollbooths. E-ZPass discount could be changing too.

Union Leader Story

Fosters Online Story

The foster Online story needs to take a ride on the toll roads, I think their numbers might be a bit off

[idigtractors]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

It looks like a there will be a rate hike at NH tollbooths. E-ZPass discount could be changing too.

Union Leader Story

Fosters Online Story

Change the words "could be changing too. As what I read it will be GONE no more discount. What a bummer as it went from a 50% discount to a 30% discount and now to a NO discount plus the toll hike.

[ITD]

Yep, I'm loving this new Democrat majority, the only solution is MORE TAXES. Keep begging for an income tax people, you'll get it with this bunch.

[idigtractors]

Originally Posted by idigtractors

Change the words "could be changing too. As what I read it will be GONE no more discount. What a bummer as it went from a 50% discount to a 30% discount and now to a NO discount plus the toll hike.

Oh ya, don't forget the very good chance for a gas tax increase to go along with the toll hike.

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by idigtractors

Oh ya, don't forget the very good chance for a gas tax increase to go along with the toll hike.

Welcome to the rest of the USA

it is terrible but the rest of us have been sweating this out for years, sooner or later they are going to crack us all, and will not be happy until they hang us from out big toes and shake us to get every last penny out of the pockets including the pocket lint!

[Lakegeezer]

At least this usage tax is one that out of state tourists can contribute to. Its not much extra - just a quarter or fifty cents here and there - but with millions of visitors over the year, it adds up. There are a lot of fixed costs in running the toll system. An increase goes right to the bottom line. Anyway, lots of NH income is drained south of the border by Mass taxes , and this is one way to recoup some of it.

[tis]

I think it is a lot of baloney. I think they already collect tons of money for roads from tolls, the gas tax, diesel tax, fed tax, heavy vehicle use tax, state diesel fuel registration tax for trucks, IRP tax for trucks, town and state taxes to register trucks and cars, just to name some. They even have a new truck tax, I forgot the name of it, but it is $39.00 for each truck. Where the heck does it all go?????

[Weirs guy]

Originally Posted by tis

I think it is a lot of baloney. I think they already collect tons of money for roads from tolls, the gas tax, diesel tax, fed tax, heavy vehicle use tax, state diesel fuel registration tax for trucks, IRP tax for trucks, town and state taxes to register trucks and cars, just to name some. They even have a new truck tax, I forgot the name of it, but it is $39.00 for each truck. Where the heck does it all go?????

To the unemployed parent of 3 kids who's sitting on their couch.
Sorry, had too.

I guess we can't complain to loudly about the toll hikes since its been almost 20 years since the last increase.

[tis]

Yep, you are right, Weirs guy. That is the problem I have, don't tell us you need it for the highway, when there is tons of money already collected for that. If the highway money really went to highway and social security really went to social security, etc. there would be plenty. There will NEVER be enough for this health care for everyone. Might as well give 100% of our money to them now. (Off soapbox now.)

[MAXUM]

So much for EZPass saving the state a ton of money in administrative costs, offsetting the need to raise the toll rates.

[idigtractors]

Originally Posted by Weirs guy

To the unemployed parent of 3 kids who's sitting on their couch.
Sorry, had too.

I guess we can't complain to loudly about the toll hikes since its been almost 20 years since the last increase.

You may be right in that statement, but the volume has increased 15 fold making up for any needed toll hikes.

[Weirs guy]

Originally Posted by idigtractors

You may be right in that statement, but the volume has increased 15 fold making up for any needed toll hikes.

Ah, touché!

[jeffk]

This increase, like many tax increases, is being carried on the back of a phony crisis that simply demands a tax increase to fix the serious problems that exist.

There was a bridge collapse in Minnesota. It was tragic and scary. People were killed and there were a lot of terrible images on the TV.

The New Hampshire public officials’ reaction was, understandably, to immediately review bridges of similar construction (of which there were few) in this state to verify that none posed a public threat. They didn’t.

Then the political snow job started. There are many bridges on the state’s “red list”. The name itself evokes danger. Everyone assumes that the “red list” bridges are dangerous and in immediate need of replacement. The only problem is, it isn’t true. “Red list” bridges are on the list because they are in need of some kind of work. Most are completely safe. Some have a little extra rust or are in need of painting. “Red list” bridges are inspected more frequently to make SURE that they are not degrading to the point of danger.

Then it became necessary to increase the tolls to address all this URGENT work. Perhaps if all the money that is collected in gas taxes was actually used for road maintenance, rather than being siphoned off to non highway uses there would be no need for any increases.

In addition, a lot of the money on the highway project list is for completely new projects. While it might be nice and convenient to complete these projects, delaying them is probably not dangerous. If the “red list” bridges are such a concern, why not have a moratorium on new construction until all the existing bridges are up to snuff?

Once again we have a political game being played. The difference is that the democrats wring their hands and take advantage of the situation to raise taxes. Republicans would probably have reviewed the highway project list, made sure truly critical work was prioritized to the top of the list, and delayed or cancelled other projects. This has happened in the past.

These types of decisions are made by people every day. You need to repair your car’s brakes and you need to paint your house. You can’t afford to do both. You decide to fix the car because it poses possible danger if you do not. Your house looks shabby for a year. It’s on your “red list”.

Businesses also constantly make choices between important things they need to do. They prioritize and work on what they have resources for. The rest gets delayed or dropped.

Why does government get to take more money? The answer: Because they can! And we are dumb enough to let them!

Are you seeing red yet?

[tis]

Yes, Jeff, so well said. One doesn't need to say too much on here, just agree with those of you that do that job so well!

[This'nThat]

Originally Posted by Weirs guy

I guess we can't complain to loudly about the toll hikes since its been almost 20 years since the last increase.

When EZPass was introduced, the in-state 50% deduction was reduced to 33%, thereby increasing the tolls for everyone who had to switch from tokens to EZPass. The state's polititians have already had their toll increase -- they now want another one, much much larger this time.

[LIforrelaxin]

Well once agian we see some part of the state of NH funding system floundering....Why..... poor management..... NH has 3 choices, raise current taxes, add new taxes, or look into govermental waste..... well I can tell you which one the goverment will not look at.....

I seriously hope that those of you that are NH residents and have the right to vote, take a good look at your represenatives, and the bills that are going through the state house and how they will effect the state.

Although I wouldn't have a problem with a slightly raised toll scheme... I only usually go through one toll booth twice a week.... I can see that raised prices would start to effect people, that commute through the tolls on a twice a day pace.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

The thing I have never figured out is why it takes two toll booths to go south to Nashua but only one to go to Salem. Likewise you can go from Concord to Canada for free but you can't go from Concord to Manchester. Toll booths just don't seem to capable of coming close to uniform taxation. God strike me down for suggesting it but how about no toll booths and an equal offset in the gas tax. (Don't stand next to me I see thunderheads gathering. Oh no Owwwww)

And I know they would keep both. My apologies in advance.

Easy concept, you drive on the roads you pay. You buy a small car you pay less. I drive my SUV fast, I pay more.

Have you seen the construction project at the Bedford tolls? Probably cost more than the highway did to build. Anybody know what is up? Are they going to make the Easy Pass a high speed lanes like some states?

[idigtractors]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Guy

Have you seen the construction project at the Bedford tolls? Probably cost more than the highway did to build. Anybody know what is up? Are they going to make the Easy Pass a high speed lanes like some states?

The word I have is it is a straight route to the airport some how. Like I said that is the word that came to my ears.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

The vote is tomorrow.

From WMUR:
“If passed, the toll increase would go into effect as soon as possible.”

Funny use of the word if.

[Merrymeeting]

>>Toll Hike - Bummer. We Go Through Two Plazas

And for those of us who come up 95 to the Spaulding Turnpike, it is times 3!

[SIKSUKR]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the toll hikes were approved.No mention of doing away with the EZ pass discount.
Here's WMUR's story.http://www.wmur.com/news/14260697/detail.html

[EllyPoinster]

No mention of a change to the E-ZPass discount in the UnionLeader.com story either. The increases are effective on October 22nd.

http://unionleader.com/article.aspx?...0-accfdc0d39a8

[chipj29]

I don't want to say this is a good thing, but toll rates have not increased since what, 1989? The cost of living has gone up quite a bit in the last 18 years, so IMO this was somewhat necessary. Have to pay the workers more and more every year. More costs require more income.
And yes, I travel the Hooksett tolls daily, so this will impact me.

[trfour]

In the Unionleader story, " Large trucks will see toll hikes double those for cars and light tucks. "

The double whammy, so to speak, as everything trucked here prices will go up as well and in turn those extra costs for them will be passed on to the consumers.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

Originally Posted by chipj29

I don't want to say this is a good thing, but toll rates have not increased since what, 1989? The cost of living has gone up quite a bit in the last 18 years, so IMO this was somewhat necessary. Have to pay the workers more and more every year. More costs require more income.
And yes, I travel the Hooksett tolls daily, so this will impact me.

In State Driver:
Was not long ago we were paying $0.375 to pass through the Hookset tolls. The Rate today is $0.525. That was a 40 percent increase in the tax. If we get to keep our 30% discount we will now pay $0.70. That is another 33% increase. (or over 86% increase)

Out of State: (Assuming they do not get the discount)
Was not long ago were paying $0.375 to pass through the Hookset tolls. The Rate today is $0.75. That was a 100 percent increase in the tax. With the new rate they pay $ 1.00. That is an additional 33% increase. (or 166% increase)

I can't help wonder how long it will be until the next little increase.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Guy

The thing I have never figured out is why it takes two toll booths to go south to Nashua but only one to go to Salem. Likewise you can go from Concord to Canada for free but you can't go from Concord to Manchester. Toll booths just don't seem to capable of coming close to uniform taxation. God strike me down for suggesting it but how about no toll booths and an equal offset in the gas tax. (Don't stand next to me I see thunderheads gathering. Oh no Owwwww)

And I know they would keep both. My apologies in advance.

Easy concept, you drive on the roads you pay. You buy a small car you pay less. I drive my SUV fast, I pay more.

Have you seen the construction project at the Bedford tolls? Probably cost more than the highway did to build. Anybody know what is up? Are they going to make the Easy Pass a high speed lanes like some states?

That is the new airport access road. It will pass underneath the highway at the Bedford tolls. A bridge is being built across the Merrimack. Honestly it will really improve access to the airport. Brown Ave isn't bad now, but it will only get worse.

[SAMIAM]

It's not just the tolls.......speeding fines have been more than doubled.....in NH you can now be fined $1,000 for 20 mph over.That's 85 in a 65,folks.
Democrats know that people get upset with new taxes so they figure we won't notice it in fees and fines.
They are simply using police to collect taxes.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

It's not just the tolls.......speeding fines have been more than doubled.....in NH you can now be fined $1,000 for 20 mph over.That's 85 in a 65,folks.
Democrats know that people get upset with new taxes so they figure we won't notice it in fees and fines.
They are simply using police to collect taxes.

They are going to get the Money one way or another..... called it fines, taxes, tolls what ever you want... when there is a shortage of money in government they go after more......

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

It's not just the tolls.......speeding fines have been more than doubled.....in NH you can now be fined $1,000 for 20 mph over.That's 85 in a 65,folks. Democrats know that people get upset with new taxes so they figure we won't notice it in fees and fines.

They are simply using police to collect taxes.

So it's time for the good people of NH to step up to the plate and demand higher speed limits on the interstates. The present system of 55/65 is a holdover from a deal made a long time ago when the Federal Gov't set the speed limits. One good thing Clinton did was to rescind that law. So if we want high fines for truly "bad" behavior then set the limits to what's truly "bad". NH has that power. It would be interesting to see the debate since nobody does 65 on I93.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

Be careful, I think I read somewhere that 45 is as fast as you can safely go. Oh wait, that is only if the other vehicle is 150 feet or more away.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Guy

Be careful, I think I read somewhere that 45 is as fast as you can safely go. Oh wait, that is only if the other vehicle is 150 feet or more away.

Actually I don't know why I'd be worried. The NH State Police can't be writing any tickets since nobody would drive directly at a police car while speeding. Thus there can't be any tickets issued due to radar. Any reports recording speeds above that limit must be wrong ....

[Rattlesnake Guy]

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

can't be writing any tickets since nobody would drive directly at a police car while speeding.

LMAO You have a point. I have adopted the technique of only driving perpendicular to police cars taking advantage of the cosine problem. Must admit it is not a technique I would recommend in heavily wooded areas.

[Dave M]

I normally have EZpass but forgot to take it using the 2nd car. I drove up to the lake and went in the correct change lanes(on purpose) and asked why they were taken out. I mentioned if you had 3 quarters for the .75 cents for correct change lane why wouldn't you have it for the dollar especially if buy a roll of quarters. I went up and back to the lake the same day going through Bedford & Hookset tollbooths and not one of the toll takers could give me an answer. I smell a rat.
Didn't they raise the tolls to a dollar a while ago and everybody started going around them. Is that happening now.


Dave M