January 15, 2005
Surprise Surprise Surprise
Sean reported, at the beginning of the year, that Illinois was doubling the cost of their tollroads for those who don't use them often enough to justify buying the RF I-Pass gimmick. I commented that my son, who usually teases me about taking the scenic route, has decided to follow my example and take Hiway 41 when travelling to Chicago (which he does a couple times a month).
It turns out he's not alone. I'm not sure if it was tuner drift or a deliberate decision on my wee wifey's part, but we've been listening to Chicago news radio the last few days. Truck traffic on 41 has doubled, and local residents are complaining. Traffic delays at the tollbooths are shorter. I expect that eventually toll revenues will be down so much that some official will announce that it has become necessary to raise the tolls in order to make up for the losses.
Posted by triticale at January 15, 2005 06:27 PMWishful thinking. There's still all of the out-of-town traffic clogging the south end of 294. And I'm sure once people get annoyed enough at sitting in traffic on 41, they'll capitulate and get an I-Pass.
Posted by: greg at January 16, 2005 09:30 AMYour toll roads post reminded me of the situation with the Golden Gate Bridge. The tolls are high to subsidize the bus and ferry system. The justification is that traffic congestion should subsidize its own relief via public transportation.
Since one pays the toll only going INTO San Francisco, local wags claim the toll is just a cover charge. Where they really get you is the two drink minimum.
Posted by: Whitehall at January 18, 2005 09:01 AM