Toll collection is the least efficient and most expensive way to fund a road. Just think of all the associated costs:
• Toll construction
• Toll collectors salary & benefits
• E-Z Pass systems
• Administration
photo credit: HelveticaFanatic
Toll roads are very inefficient:
• Require vehicles to stop or slow down
• Manual toll collection wastes time and raises vehicle operating costs
• Collection costs can absorb up to third of revenues
• Traffic diversion to “free” roads increases congestion on those roads
Besides the actual cost of the toll, they also greatly contribute to traffic and pollution. They also increase wear and tear on our cars through the need to brake more often. Finally, tolls unfairly place the burden of paying for the roads on daily commuters. Toll increases threaten to make it harder for many lower and middle income earners to afford their daily commute.
If Passenger Energy became successful, a percentage of each transaction could go towards road maintenance and construction and maybe eliminate the need for tolls.
