Hogan proposes more toll reductions

Listen to this article

Some motorists in Maryland could see toll relief under a series of proposals announced by Gov. Larry Hogan.

Hogan made the announcement Friday in a 75-second video release that appeared to have been recorded and produced earlier in the week.

The announcement marks the third time Hogan had rolled out toll reduction proposals since taking office in 2015.

Hogan said the new proposal would reduce tolls by an additional $28 million over five years.

Kelly Melhem, a spokeswoman for the Maryland Transportation Authority said “several variables, including traffic volumes, project schedules and E-ZPass penetration rates, could affect the actual amount one way or the other.”

The savings would be achieved through a series of targeted proposals that would be rolled out in 2020.

First is a “pay-by-plate” system proposed to go online in in June in which motorists using video tolling would link a credit card to their license plate and be billed automatically at the same rate as cash customers. Currently, video toll customers pay a 50 percent premium over cash customers. For example, a $4 toll costs a video toll customer $6.

The state also plans to issue new vehicle classifications that will lower tolls starting in September 2020. Hogan said lower tolls are proposed for motorcycles and for vehicles towing one- or two-axle trailers, such as those used to transport boats or landscaping equipment.

Video toll customers could also see a discount for paying their bills before invoices are mailed. The exact amount of the discount was not immediately known. That proposal, if approved, would take effect in December 2020.

All three proposals are expected to be discussed by the Maryland Transportation Authority Board at its July 25 meeting. Hogan said a series of public meetings is also expected.

In 2015, Hogan announced reductions at all toll facilities in the state. He followed that up over his first term with the elimination of monthly fees for E-ZPass customers who registered their accounts in Maryland, and eh later eliminated the $7.5o fee for the electronic toll system transponders.

Hogan estimated the total savings from toll reductions at $344 million.

The announcement also continues to move the state to a cashless toll collection system. Facilities at the Francis Scott Key and Thomas J. Hatem Memorial bridges will go cashless this fall with motorists paying via E-ZPass or video tolling.

The state Department of Transportation estimates that 90 percent of motorists using the Hatem bridge and 80 percent of those crossing the Patapsco on the Key bridge already pay using one of those two systems.