I recently looked at the ill-fated TIGER II application of Arkansas for the Bella Vista Bypass (http://www.arkansashighways.com/BVB/TIGER%20II%20Application%208-19.pdf). In the application, three types of toll discounts are discussed: green car, elderly (65+) driver, and low-income (http://www.arkansashighways.com/BVB/Toll_Pricing.pdf).
Are there currently any "green car" discounts on toll roads elsewhere in the country?
Also, how prevalent are elderly driver and low income discounts?
I'm not sure which ones. But, I'm fairly sure that some of the HOT lanes will allow drivers of "Green" vehicles to drive free in those lanes even if there is only one person on the vehicle.
The New Jersey Turnpike offers EZPass tag holders discounts for hybrid vehicles and those 65 and older. One must sign up in order to receive either discount though. No discounts for cash customers regardless of your age or what you drive though.
Toll Bridge Discounts in S.F. Bay Area...
* FasTrak customers on the Golden Gate Bridge pay $5 which is a $1 discount (cash customers pay $6).
* Carpoolers (3+) on the Golden Gate Bridge pay $3 but must have FasTrak (no cash).
* Carpoolers (3+) on all other Bay Area bridges pay $2.50 but must have FasTrak. Normal bridge tolls are $5 on all bridges except the Bay Bridge where the toll is $6 during commute hours (weekdays 5-10am, 3-7pm), $4 during weekday non-commute hours and $5 on weekends.
Carpoolers used to be able to cross all bridges, including the Golden Gate, for free but that ended this past summer when bridge tolls were raised. The Golden Gate Bridge is the only Bay Area bridge that gives FasTrak users a discount.
ISTHA offers 1/2 price discounts to I-Pass and I-Zoom holders (not sure about other EX-Pass tags). There are also off-peak discounts for tractor-trailers. The Indiana Toll Road reciprocates with discounts for I-Zoom and I-Pass.
Quote from: Brandon on October 29, 2010, 10:41:54 PM
ISTHA offers 1/2 price discounts to I-Pass and I-Zoom holders (not sure about other EX-Pass tags). There are also off-peak discounts for tractor-trailers. The Indiana Toll Road reciprocates with discounts for I-Zoom and I-Pass.
Illinois Tollways accept I-PASS and E-ZPass. For cars, at all tollgates the cash toll rates are double the transponder toll rates.
Mike
SunPass (and I assume E-Pass, LeeWay, and some others) have discounts along Florida's Turnpike and other roads. Depending on how often someone drives on them, discounts are given as rebates for the next month's billing cycle. Details on sunpass.com.
I *think* I remember reading somewhere that I-95 Express gives discounts to carpoolers and drivers of hybrid vehicles, in that they can use the express lanes of I-95 for free, while all others are required to use SunPass.
Quote from: AstareGod on December 15, 2010, 02:01:54 AM
SunPass (and I assume E-Pass, LeeWay, and some others) have discounts along Florida's Turnpike and other roads. Depending on how often someone drives on them, discounts are given as rebates for the next month's billing cycle. Details on sunpass.com.
I *think* I remember reading somewhere that I-95 Express gives discounts to carpoolers and drivers of hybrid vehicles, in that they can use the express lanes of I-95 for free, while all others are required to use SunPass.
The Turnpike discounts are a percent off of each toll. On E-Pass roads in Orlando, you have to go through a toll booth a certain number of times before they give you a discount. These discounts apply to both SunPass and E-Pass customers.
For I-95 Express, carpools and "green" vehicles can travel for free, but they have to be registered.
I think WV gives a discount to WV EZ-Pass holders on the WV Turnpike.
Don't most states have some sort of discount scheme with EZ-Pass accountholders that get EZ-Pass through their state. It doesn't have to be a flat discount, but I think of things for Carpools and Residents of obscure places (like Staten Island) within the Tri-State area.
Many bridges that connect to barrier islands have resident discounts.
I know that back in the 90s when Virginia had SmartTag (pre-EZ-Pass) they offered discounts to residents of Gloucester County for the Coleman Bridge (only direct link between Gloucester and the rest of Hampton Roads). We lived there at the time and both of my parents worked across the bridge. Rather than the $2 cash, county residents who had a commuter SmartTag paid something like $0.20 per trip, IIRC.
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on December 15, 2010, 11:33:25 PMI know that back in the 90s when Virginia had SmartTag (pre-EZ-Pass) they offered discounts to residents of Gloucester County for the Coleman Bridge (only direct link between Gloucester and the rest of Hampton Roads). We lived there at the time and both of my parents worked across the bridge. Rather than the $2 cash, county residents who had a commuter SmartTag paid something like $0.20 per trip, IIRC.
My understanding is that in order to fix up the Coleman Bridge, which was originally a toll bridge but had been freed from toll, VDOT had to reimpose tolls, and the 90% discount was a way of bribing residents not to oppose reinstatement of tolls.
On the DRPA Toll bridges, commodore barry, walt whitman,ben franklin, betsy ross. They have a 65+ discount that takes the toll down to 1.75 for 65+ EZ Pass customers, who reigster. They will also give you a 6 dollar credit for 18 or more trips across the bridges.
Quote from: J N Winkler on December 16, 2010, 10:06:57 AM
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on December 15, 2010, 11:33:25 PMI know that back in the 90s when Virginia had SmartTag (pre-EZ-Pass) they offered discounts to residents of Gloucester County for the Coleman Bridge (only direct link between Gloucester and the rest of Hampton Roads). We lived there at the time and both of my parents worked across the bridge. Rather than the $2 cash, county residents who had a commuter SmartTag paid something like $0.20 per trip, IIRC.
My understanding is that in order to fix up the Coleman Bridge, which was originally a toll bridge but had been freed from toll, VDOT had to reimpose tolls, and the 90% discount was a way of bribing residents not to oppose reinstatement of tolls.
I believe you are correct. I was too young at the time to recall the old bridge, but my mom agrees with that.
I couldn't find details on the EZPass VA website, but a "commuter discount" is still offered at the Coleman Bridge. The Dulles Greenway (VA 267) and Chesapeake Expressway (VA 168) toll roads also have discount programs. The CBBT "discount" has been automatic and long-standing...cross the bridge again within 24 hours, and you pay $5 instead of the normal $12.
http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hro-tunnel-default.asp
Commuter discount rate is now $0.85. It's gone up somewhat.