Turnpike Introduces Variable Tolls Today
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority opened its toll gates to E-ZPass
users on Saturday morning, but the agency truly made history this
morning when its differential on-peak/off-peak toll structure went
into effect. Starting today, for the first time in the United States,
all drivers on a major toll highway will be given an monetary incentive
to change their habits and drive when there is less traffic. E-ZPass owners
driving outside the 7-9 am and 4:30-6:30 pm rush hours will pay 8% less
than E-Zpass-equipped rush hour drivers (cash payers will pay more than
electronic payers at all times).
Patrick DeCorla-Souza, who studies highway pricing for the Federal Highway
Administration, told the Star-Ledger: "We expect more and more
facilities are going to go to value pricing and they are looking for
the New Jersey Turnpike to show them the way."
By all reports, the inauguration of E-ZPass was smooth and met with
enthusiasm and few instances of lane confusion. According to the Bergen
Record,
at 11 am on Saturday, 7 hours after switching on its E-ZPass readers, the
Turnpike had already processed 36,000 transactions.
