New Data Shows The True Size of Toll Inequity
For years, drivers on the Mass Turnpike and who use the tunnels coming from the North Shore have known the unfairness of our tolling system. If you live in MetroWest or the North Shore, you pay. If you live off I-93, you ride for free.
But no one had ever done any hard and fast research to see just how bad the inequity is. Well, thanks to the Toll Equity Trust, that has all changed.
In data published in this morning’s Boston Globe, our effort showcased data researched by Kim Hazarvartian, a respected traffic engineer hired by the Trust. In his report, Hazarvartian found that of the 632,000 cars which use the highways around Boston on the average weekday, 288,000 pay tolls – about 46 percent.
That’s two people getting a free ride for every one of us paying tolls. In other words, every time you pay a toll, you are paying for yourself and one other freeloader. That is so obviously unfair.
“Every toll payer is paying not just for himself but for someone else to use the system for free,’’ said lead attorney Jan Schlichtmann told the Globe.
“This is the first time that someone has bothered to calculate the ratio between the toll payers being forced to pay for the entire system, compared with all the people who use the system,’’ Schlichtmann said. “It shows clearly that the minority is paying for the majority to use the system for free. That is unfair, unconstitutional, inequitable, and wrong.’’
He added: “I don’t see there being any more important fact than this.’’ And what is the response from the Turnpike Authority? Well, they are calling our claims baseless and they say they will fight us in court.
“The suit is baseless, and we’re vigorously defending our position,’’ Jeff Mullen, executive director of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority told the Globe.
So, that’s where we will fight, starting again tomorrow, Thursday August 6. It will be a hearing on our motion to stop the Turnpike from diverting toll revenue to pay for the non-tolled portions of the Big Dig. That hearing will take place in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn at 2 p.m.
Come out and show your support for our cause!
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