Maryland toll hike not fair to truckers: Industry group

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Truckers say that a toll hike proposal in Maryland that exempts passenger cars unfairly targets an industry that is suffering more than most from the weak U.S. economy.

Effective April 15, the proposal would raise toll rates by up to 50 percent for multi-axle vehicles, including trucks with three or more axles and vehicles towing trailers.

The proposal eliminates the Class 7 toll-rate schedule; and, in its place, implements an oversize permit charge. It includes a $2-$5 toll increase per trip depending on the number of axles at the Francis Scott Key Bridge and Fort McHenry and Baltimore Harbor tunnels; a $4-$5.50 increase per trip at the Bay Bridge; a $5-$13 increase per trip at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway and Hatem Bridge; and a $3 increase per trip at the Nice Bridge. The cost for A-series commercial tickets at the Hatem Bridge would also increase proportionately.

E-ZPass users also would pay a $1.50 monthly service fee starting in July and have to buy transponders.

The Maryland Motor Truck Association and other business stakeholders oppose the idea, noting that the hefty toll hike comes during tough economic times for the industry, which already play disproportionately more in tolls and fuel taxes.

Also, the lack of a toll hike on passenger vehicles is an affront to the trucking industry and "reflects how little the authority understands about how vital this industry is to the state’s well-being."

"The current proposal strikes of political pandering by imposing almost the entire increase on commercial vehicles while hardly touching passenger vehicles."

The Maryland Transportation Authority argues that trucks should continue to pay more, because they account for nearly 40 percent of the cost to maintain highways and bridges.