Whether you're going to school, work, the mall, or out to eat. It's not hard to notice the continuous increase in traffic to get anywhere you want to go. The continuous traffic jams further arise questions as to what could lessen the traffic here in Texas and if building more tolls could be our answer. On an article posted on November 29, 2013 in The Texas Tribune titled "In Austin, Toll Lanes May Give Bus Service a Boost" goes on to discuss that by 2015 an 11-mile stretch of Austin's Mopac Boulevard will expand to eight lanes from six and that the two new lanes will be tolled, which will give drivers the chance to pay premium to avoid frequent traffic.
With that being said, $200 million is being invested into this project and was even stated on the article above that neither the Texas Department of Transportation nor any of the entities involved in this project predict that it will make Mopac into a free-flowing transportation route. I for one do not support this project and feel that it is a waste of $200 million that could be used on another project. If even the people who are investing into this project do not believe it could lessen the traffic, then why waste $200 million is the better question. Texas is getting more populated as time passes and what makes anyone so sure that people will actually invest in paying more for tolls?
One example as to why I don't see this working out is because even with the tollways we now have in place, there is still traffic anywhere you go. Not only that, but some people do not want to pay to take a tollway. Quite a few people I know have said they don't ever intend on getting a Texas "tag" which furthermore shows that not everyone is in on the idea of taking tollways. Another thing I have seen happen with the creation of tollways is that some people will still use it and not pay. They let their toll bills pile up and still do not pay for it. Why waste $200 million if it will only lessen the traffic by a little, some people will misuse it/not pay, and it will create debt overtime?
On an article posted by Kxan News titled Man shocked to find name on list of top toll violators goes on to discuss how more than $27 million is owed to the state by violators across the state with unpaid toll bills. This shows how people will violate the tollways and not pay, which furthermore proves that tollways are not as helpful as one would assume. Sure, they help getting to some places with ease, but why invest more in them if they will barely lessen the traffic and people won't pay? Eventually as time passes this state will get further populated and what will we do next? build more and more tolls as our only solution? I think not. I feel if Texas wishes to lower the traffic population then they need to think of other ways besides building more tolls and wasting money on plans that aren't as effective in lowering traffic. Perhaps if Texas increases the gas prices and makes even more public transportations then more people will result in not using their cars as often, which will lower the traffic significantly! It might sound like I am pushing it with such a thought, but it's a thought/start instead of wasting $200 million and not really lowering the traffic ..
Part 1 of 2
ReplyDeleteThe current type of toll roads around Austin seem to be their own road entirely, such as Texas 45. These tolls are avoidable, but they do make getting to your destination quicker. The problem with these type of toll roads is the lack of advertisement. If drivers already plan on avoiding toll roads, their routes deny them first-hand exposure of how enticing it would be to pay the toll. Another method Texas has is a $200 million plan that adds two toll lanes to MOPAC for 11 miles. With this method, it increases the advertisement for these toll lanes. Drivers will be sitting in traffic next to the bare toll lanes, seeing only toll-paying motorists and buses flying by them. This splits the driving population into three categories: those that can afford tolls, those that can't afford tolls, and those that will opt for taking the bus. If these new lanes were toll only or bus only, I would definitely be against this plan. The idea behind toll roads screams financial discrimination. It would be no different than placing tolls on elevators or escalators, with those that can't afford the toll taking the stairs. If it were bus-only lanes, it would be commuter discrimination. Those traveling far distances every day to-and-from their destinations would either have to sit in traffic or leave their car somewhere close to a bus stop. I'm not sure of the feasibility or practicality of the latter. The idea that paying motorists and buses will use these lanes makes the plan much more palatable.
Currently, Texas uses two methods to collect tolls. The first is an electronic transponder called the TxTag, which automatically makes a transaction whenever the vehicle passes through the toll. This works the same for TollTag and EZ TAG. The other method is a camera spots the vehicle license plate, and a bill is sent to the owner of the vehicle. There may still be toll booth operators somewhere in Texas, but the camera system and Tag system are phasing them out. Mr. Ramirez does make a good point about toll fee collection. What about those that don't pay the tolls? There is $27 million in unpaid tolls that motorists in Texas have accrued. This sounds more like an enforcement issue rather than an actual issue with the toll roads. If Texas doesn't crack down on collection, I foresee barriers at toll points where appropriate, and harsher penalties for negligence to pay. Currently, the largest penalty is $60 in addition to the original toll amount.
Part 2 of 2
ReplyDeleteToll roads may seem unfair, but they provide choice. Pay more to get to your destination quicker, or wait it out in traffic. Sure all the roads could be free, but eventually everyone would be stuck in traffic with less revenue for Texas to pay for more roads. Increasing taxes on gas would impact everyone, many of which may have little alternatives for how they get around, rich or poor. It discriminates against those that live further away from the city, which is also typically more affordable housing. Motorists may be trying to make use of personal and public transportation to meet their destination needs to already cut down on their monthly gas expenses. Higher gas prices reduce the number of luxury trips motorists make, such as going to the mall. This doesn't stop motorists from driving to work or to school, which are most likely the reasons why they are driving. A higher gas price means more expenses to most people, not a reduction in traffic. A gas tax is mandatory for motorists, toll lanes are not. Mr. Ramirez did spitball the idea of more public transportation. Well the buses that will be using the new toll lanes on MOPAC is public transportation. So this $200 million plan is expanding public transportation. There will be some people that see this, and opt for the bus instead of sitting in traffic. The plan is a hybrid measure to try and alleviate some traffic, earn some revenue, expand public transportation, and to see how the public reacts to it. If the public chooses to use more public transportation, then that's what Texas will build. This is a much better method than building only public transportation, and trying to force the population into using it.