Toll hikes get initial OK
The Maine Turnpike Authority approved a tentative toll rate increase Thursday that will see rates rise by 50 cents at toll booths in New Gloucester, West Gardiner, Wells and Gray, and by $1 in York.
Under the plan, E-ZPass rates per mile would also rise from 6.7 cents to 7.4 cents, according to the Portland Press Herald.
The E-ZPass increase could have an effect on trucking in the state, where traversing the 100-mile route from York to Augusta will now cost truckers nearly $10 more. The new plan would also charge tractor-trailers 4.25 times the rate of cars up from the current rate of four times.
The new toll model would reward frequent E-ZPass users, who would receive a 10% discount for making 20 to 30 trips per month up to a 40% discount for those taking to the turnpike 50 to 60 times in a month.
Rising tolls come in the wake of a $21 million budget gap for the turnpike authority, whose sole source of revenue is tolls. Each year, the MTA takes in around $100 million in tolls. MTA board members are expected to take a final vote on the toll increase on Aug. 16.
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