Lawsuit over I-190 Grand Island tolls

[WNYroadgeek]

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of a man from Long Island and a woman from Ontario, Canada, cries foul over the toll break that Grand Island residents get in crossing the bridges. They complain that Grand Island residents get too much of a break on their tolls, paying only 9 cents for a one-way trip that costs nonresidents up to $1.

http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/835323.html

Is a 91 cent difference really that big a deal?

[Roadgeek Adam]

:\ - Its called "equality" - and Grand Islanders need it, because there is no free bridge onto the island

[mightyace]

:\ - Its called "equality" - and Grand Islanders need it, because there is no free bridge onto the island

But, the residents of Grand Island chose to live there and the toll is one of the costs of living there just like some areas have higher taxes, housing prices, gas prices, etc. than others.

I say, give them a frequent user break but that's it.  However, if the reduced rate is written into law, that it needs to stay.

Better yet, just take the tolls off the bridges!

[mgk920]

Howabout making the south bridge totally *FREE* while charging the $1 toll both ways for the north bridge?  It would generate the same revenue from the through traffic while giving the islanders *FREE* access.



Mike

[Roadgeek Adam]

:\ - Its called "equality" - and Grand Islanders need it, because there is no free bridge onto the island

But, the residents of Grand Island chose to live there and the toll is one of the costs of living there just like some areas have higher taxes, housing prices, gas prices, etc. than others.

I say, give them a frequent user break but that's it.  However, if the reduced rate is written into law, that it needs to stay.

Better yet, just take the tolls off the bridges!

According to NYSDOT, they are trying that, as those are the only two tolls left on 190 in the first place

[vdeane]

Well, I certainly can't envision bridges of that type being free.  Don't they cost a lot of money to maintain?  The toll on the Thousand Islands Bridge is $2.50, and NYC bridges are much higher, so the Grand Island bridges are VERY cheap compared to similar crossings.

[Scott5114]

Well, I certainly can't envision bridges of that type being free.  Don't they cost a lot of money to maintain?  The toll on the Thousand Islands Bridge is $2.50, and NYC bridges are much higher, so the Grand Island bridges are VERY cheap compared to similar crossings.

And I can't imagine paying two and a half dollars just to cross a measly bridge. $2.50 in toll money gets you nearly to Tulsa from here.

[vdeane]

That's still very cheap compared to the NYC bridges.  It's also only towards Wellesley/Hill Islands, similar to the Grand Island Bridge setup.  I don't remember the exact price of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, but it's in excess of $7.

[TheStranger]

Well, I certainly can't envision bridges of that type being free.  Don't they cost a lot of money to maintain?  The toll on the Thousand Islands Bridge is $2.50, and NYC bridges are much higher, so the Grand Island bridges are VERY cheap compared to similar crossings.

And I can't imagine paying two and a half dollars just to cross a measly bridge. $2.50 in toll money gets you nearly to Tulsa from here.

In the Bay Area, most bridges are $4 now, the Golden Gate Bridge is either $5 or $6 depending on time of day.  Ouch!

[Roadgeek Adam]

That's still very cheap compared to the NYC bridges.  It's also only towards Wellesley/Hill Islands, similar to the Grand Island Bridge setup.  I don't remember the exact price of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, but it's in excess of $7.

$11

[hbelkins]

That's still very cheap compared to the NYC bridges.  It's also only towards Wellesley/Hill Islands, similar to the Grand Island Bridge setup.  I don't remember the exact price of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, but it's in excess of $7.

$11

No wonder my EZ-Pass recharged twice in one day. 

[Scott5114]

That's still very cheap compared to the NYC bridges.  It's also only towards Wellesley/Hill Islands, similar to the Grand Island Bridge setup.  I don't remember the exact price of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, but it's in excess of $7.

$11

How do they get away with that without people tearing the bridge from its moorings? If they charged that much here it would be perpetually empty.

[citrus]

Supply and demand. Charge $11 for a bridge and people start taking the free ferry. New York moves better as a result.