Trucking News: Ohio Turnpike Commission Proposes Toll Changes

[WattsMack]

The Ohio Turnpike Commission this week proposed new toll rates that will change how trucks and tractor-trailers are charged and will give a big break for E-ZPass users.View the full article

[Underdog]

If you read the linked article it sounds pretty reasonable what the Ohio Turnpike wants to do. They learned the hard way a few years ago that arbitrary toll increases leads to lower revenue, due to decreased traffic volumes. I am looking forward to using my E Z Pass in Ohio. It's worth the price of admission just to set the cruise at 65 in SLOHIO and run the toll road. New York and Pennsylvania should learn a lesson from Ohio and quit jacking the tolls out of sight. FYI, PA. Pike is set to increase tolls AGAIN in January '09.

[other dog]

If you read the linked article it sounds pretty reasonable what the Ohio Turnpike wants to do. They learned the hard way a few years ago that arbitrary toll increases leads to lower revenue, due to decreased traffic volumes. I am looking forward to using my E Z Pass in Ohio. It's worth the price of admission just to set the cruise at 65 in SLOHIO and run the toll road. New York and Pennsylvania should learn a lesson from Ohio and quit jacking the tolls out of sight. FYI, PA. Pike is set to increase tolls AGAIN in January '09.

I very seldom run the Ohio pike, I run rt. 20 from Fremont to Norwalk all the time. When I started driving in '79 it cost $21 to run the Pa. pike from Breezewood to Ohio with 50,155 lbs. on the trailer, that was class 7 I think. I have no idea what it would cost now. Now I run I-64 to 60 to 20 to 39 to 19 to I-79 and north, or if i'm coming out of Petersburg or farther east I go across 68 to 79.

[Underdog]

I very seldom run the Ohio pike, I run rt. 20 from Fremont to Norwalk all the time. When I started driving in '79 it cost $21 to run the Pa. pike from Breezewood to Ohio with 50,155 lbs. on the trailer, that was class 7 I think. I have no idea what it would cost now. Now I run I-64 to 60 to 20 to 39 to 19 to I-79 and north, or if i'm coming out of Petersburg or farther east I go across 68 to 79.

I try to avoid the PA Pike as much as possible on matters of principle. If I have time I will run east across 22 or I-68 (westbound I usually have a placarded load, so I can't run the turnpike anyhow. No HAZMAT thru the tunnels). The powers that be have it figured pretty close so you can either pay the toll or burn more fuel to go around. Out of pocket is about the same. Right now it costs me 31 cents per mile for class 7 (gross weight 80,000 lbs.) and that is set to increase first of the year. It will be interesting to watch the result of that, what with fuel prices dropping. Other Dog, you might just be seeing Underdog down on I-68 more often. BTW, the Ohio pike is a relative bargain @ 14 cents per mile. The bottom line is what counts, as long as you are makin' more than you are spendin'