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MichEalJOrdanslambo t1_jeartyx wrote

Reply to comment by joeconn4 in Vermont House considers increasing DMV fees by FearandLoathinginBTV

I fully support this. People in every other New England/tri state are so used to it no one even pays attention. I think it’s $5 to enter Maine on 95. Put in the tolls use revenue to keep our highway in good shape and other general highway infrastructure.

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illusivealchemist t1_jebeq31 wrote

it works well in states that you need to get through to get somewhere, like connecticut if you're driving from NYC/95-S to Boston. but I think it will just end up hurting locals' wallets more than benefit from tourists/visitors.

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joeconn4 t1_jeeflfk wrote

Help me out with how this would hurt locals' wallets more than benefit from tourists/visitors.

The legislature is proposing a $15/year hike on vehicle registrations. I don't think any of should be surprised when that passes because a lot of our representatives are going to say "it's only $15". For that registration increase, we don't get anything that we don't already have. I'm saying don't increase the registration fee, add in EZ Pass with the same $15 annual fee. That way when a Vermont resident travels outside the state and uses toll roads, they pay the lower EZ Pass rate vs a higher no-EZ Pass charge. Then set the toll rate on I89/I91/I93 at $0 for people with Vermont EZ Passes, but charge a couple $ for use of those roads by out-of-state EZ Pass drivers.

You already have some Vermont residents who drive on toll highways in other states buying EZ Pass from other states. Those of us who don't end up with the hassle of having to pay the toll plus the no-EZ Pass charge. EZ Pass works on highways in Maine, NH, NY, Mass, RI, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, WV, NC, OH, IN, KY, IL, MN, and coming soon to Georgia. That's a lot of miles of highways that Vermont drivers would save a few $ if they had an EZ Pass.

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