I-Pass: Fresh Revenue Strategies with Electronic Tolling
Leslie Boudreau was billed $4,619 by the Illinois tollway, with only two weeks to pay up before charges would inflate to $15,739.
Two taxi drivers were billed $80,571 last year for unpaid tolls dating back to 2003.
And Carla Meier-a resident of downstate Illinois who doesn’t use the tollway-recently received a $62 tollway fine while incapable of driving due to a broken foot.
Sadly, with the tollway’s modern I-Pass system, these situations are not unique. The top 50 toll violators have $2.2 million in outstanding fines, and although present information isn’t available, violators owed $78 million at the end of 2005.
But how do these monstrous fines accumulate?
Well, electronic tolling is both a blessing and curse. While I-Pass reduces traffic congestion (you can pay a toll without stopping at a booth), it also streamlines the taxing process. First, you put down a deposit for a transmitter that attaches to ... Read More...
