A lawsuit has been filed by the American Trucking Association against Rhode Island for its use of truck-only tolls. They’re hoping to not only overturn the current truck-only tolls, but also to make sure that a similar program is never again tried in the future.
Rhode Island had plenty of warning. When Governor Gina Raimondo first proposed the truck-only tolls, the whole industry told her it wouldn’t work. The plan seemed like it was quickly scrapped, but a short time later they were back at it again. ATA and multiple other industry groups warned Rhode Island that they would fight the proposal any way that could.
ATA even promised to file a lawsuit the moment the first toll was collected. It took a few weeks, but that’s exactly what they did. Almost exactly a month after the first toll location went live, the lawsuit was filed.
ATA is joined by three carriers in the suit against Rhode Island which was filed on July 10th. In it, they allege that the tolls violate the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution which seeks to prevent any burden on interstate commerce.
A single one-way trip across the state will cost truckers up to $20, with a maximum of $40 paid in tolls in a single day. The tolls are supposed to bring in $45 million per year, all on the backs of professional truckers.
“Since RhodeWorks was first proposed, the trucking industry has been strong and united in opposition to this extortionate plan,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear in a statement. “We’ve warned politicians in Rhode Island that these truck-only tolls were unconstitutional and should be rolled back. It is unfortunate that Governor Raimondo and her administration did not heed those warnings, but now we will see them in court.”
Source: gobytrucknews, truckinginfo, fleetowner, ttnews, ATA, truckersreport
I hope they win the fight. The tolls don’t go towards fixing the roads. Indiana, Illinois roads are terrible and it’s one of the most expensive toll roads in the country. It’s about time truckers fight to keep money in our pockets and stop lining the liberals pockets. The way I see it, Rhode Island wants their freight we should drop our trailers at the state line and let the politicians deliver it.
My thoughts exactly! Could not word it any other way.
Or add a “Road Island” $200 surcharge for trucks bringing its residents trucked-in goods.
Glad to hear the suit was filed. Its not only unconstitutional but discrimination as well. Wouldn’t expect anything less from the far left Northeast states. They won’t get a penny out of my pocket. Rhode Island isn’t big enough that I can’t drive around it.
Rhode Island is not the only state that rapes trucks for funds that never find their way to the infrastructure
What am I missing here?
There is a truck only toll on I-287 in NY, just past the TZ bridge. If this truly is “unconstitutional”, as the ATA is claiming, it’s been going on for years and years in a state that’s almost next door.
True but the toll on 287 isn’t just for trucks, cars and trucks alike have to pay. Rhode Island doesn’t charge cars so they are singling us out to make revenue which is against the law. I’m sure they did that because they knew their daily commuters would vote it out but wouldn’t give a second thought to charging trucks because the average person thinks we are a nuisance.
There IS a TRUCK ONLY toll in NY Westbound on I-287, right past Tapan Zee bridge, like the first person stated. It’s not charging cars.
Wouldn’t be the first time NY got their hands slapped for illegally taxing trucks. Remember the HUT stickers?
Tom the HUT sticker ain’t went nowhere you still got to have it if you go to NY
On 287 yes but cars don’t pay a toll to use the bridge like trucks do
Its seems like thats all these politicians want to do is harass truck drivers they first went against us on the Elds and it seems like DOT is always after us truck drivers and company’s nickel and diming us to death but they don’t think about the sacrifices that we made to get the product to their states and to their homes we’re away from our families Our Lives but it seems like every time you turn around different states are hounding every truck driver I am glad to see ATA Sue the state of Rhode island maybe trucker should go on strike because we’re definitely not making enough money and we’re unappreciated.
Yes there is a truck only toll westbound coming off of the Tappan Zee Bridge. However if you don’t want to pay it you can exit on the GW Bridge for free. I always took the Tappan Zee because it was only $16 to $32 depending on the time of day
(the last time I was out there) as opposed to a $110 crossing the GW. also it was only 5 to 7 miles longer if you came off of I-78 or I-80 to get to the same spot where you meet back up with I-95 and it was also about 2 hours faster on a normal day.
Let’s not stop at tolls. How is the road tax calculated how did they come up with a 550.00 base amount for that. Solution to states with truck only tolls is to boycott those states. Maybe they can bring the stuff in on horseback who cares they need to be taught a lesson.
In pa,it actually works out to 550.00 twice a year.plus 2250.00 for registration…
Well Im finally hagging up my hat in 3months. I had enough of carrying to may piggys on my back. We could fix alot of this by standing up. But man no adays have no back bone only care about that dollar they arnt got yet. American was great, no more? We will be just like old USSR. 2020 on October 1 you needed a new ID….Where your papers!? If anyone remembers what Im talking about.
We arnt free. They give us 30 toothpaste or stupid stuff like this to make us think we are free. Wake up! Get a Back bone! Get out there!
Stop delivering in Rode Island and they will change their tune pretty quick
AMEN!!!!! I agree with you Brian 100% I said that two years ago when they started talking about truck only tolls just don’t go to Rhode Island it’s that simple
Best thing for Rhode Island is for trucks not to go. Let them get the hungry homeless feeling in her big house with no food except what she goes out of state to get . she probably thinks she doesn’t need trucks anyway
So true I forgot about that it’s like 13.00 for trucks and zero for cars
I hate the North east so much I wont drive it from va, w/va, Pen, and anything ne of Ohio!! Screw it all! They all suck.
U cats all make good points. Just last week I got a bad taste of the RI crap. What’s so screwy was that the toll cameras are set up about 2 miles before a weigh station and 2 miles past the weigh station! How stupid.
But hey y’all check this out… I’m a fully independent o/o, and so I book my own loads ok?– so what I’ve begun to do is look at the 15day average for whatever load I’m trying to book, then I use a toll calculation app,… tally it up and then I’ll also tack on whatever the brokerage charges for quick pay! I don’t get turned down very often y’all. Just bid the b.s. into the load and go grab it.
I’m glad to hear that someone out there is actually running loads they can afford and make a profit off of instead of just grabbing anything at any price and wondering why they can’t make ends meet or keep their equipment safe. Thank you owner/driver for doing it right and safe. See you on the black top.
Years ago I not only added all tolls, I also charged an “aggravation fee” for any NY borough when submitting a quote.
I had one broker yell at me for it. She called me back several hours later, and I added a “you pissed me off fee”. She paid everything.
Honestly, I dont even bother working with female brokers,99% greedy,moody, and have no idea what they are talking about,but somehow they think they always right.
I live in RI. The DOT director is always on the radio talking about this.
First, what do the trucking companies or the ATA care, it won’t cost them a dime. The cost will get passed to the consumer to the tune of a penny for every product bought. The option to us is a gas tax that would be used to fix the roads at the tune of 20 + cents per gallon. The average Rhode Islander is fine with having the trucking companies, the ones that do the most damage to the roads and bridges, pay a toll.
Second, it IS the trucks doing the most damage. I think they should pay without passing on the cost to us, but it’s acceptable because it’s the lesser of the evils.
If you want food,supplies, fuel etc be nice to truckers
Sorry but you are wrong. In many cases, that toll is passed to the DRIVER. Some companies will riemburse, some won’t. And yes, you will be charged more, but not because of the cost of goods, but, something called capacity. Too much freight that trucks will not pull to RI anymore. So the companies that will pull it can charge whatever they want. What makes RI so special, when no other state would do something like this? Me? I will never deliver freight into or out of RI again.
Most people wouldn’t have a problem with taxes if the money actually went to what the politicians said it would. The average truck pays more than $5000 per year in taxes, yet somehow the money isn’t there to fix the roads. The reason the money isn’t there is because the state decided they needed a bike path or walking trail or ballpark more.
The way to fix this this is for truckers not to deliver to Rhode Island at all. If we can just stand for something we could change a lot of stuff.
The problem people are not realizing is every major roadway in the state will be tolled when the project is complete. All other toll states mostly have optional routes. Plus they’re ytring to make it illegal for trucks to drive on any optional route.
Now if we can only get truckers to unite on other important issues that effect us, then maybe we can make this a proud and respectable industry again. Trucks are more than important to this country, THEY ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART TO KEEPING THIS COUNTRY ALIVE! About time people really appreciate that and respect the industry. Yes, there are many, many bad apples on the roads that make us look bad. But, one’s good reputation goes a long way. If we each do our small part, a lot of small parts become a big effort, and changes will happen. Think about about it. Do something right about it. Everyone be safe, and be a shiny example of the American Truck Driver.
That’s an outrageous thing to do to us truckers, hey we have to make a living….if she wants.to.tax something tax the fact she is a MORON we would only stop making runs in her state
I Believe All Trucks Should refuse to make pickups or deliveries in the State Of Rhode Island Or Any Other State That Puts These unfair cost on trucking.The trucking industry has lost all respect from Government as well as the public.One week of boycotting these States would stop any of this type of thought process from these Legislators
Look at PA current road taxes. 74cpm now why would any driver go there
Surprised the ATA isn’t supporting Rhode Island since they’re anti-driver on damn near everything else
Why waste money on a lawsuit
Stop Making Deliveries in the state
I told my Company I refuse any load going there. No Problem
The solution is don’t go there! We all know of the sorry attitude problems of those in the NE!
Don’t like the tolls stay the hell out simple as that.
It’s funny how the ATA suddenly cares about the constitution after stomping on it with the ELD mandate. We need a SCOTUS heating on this facist and criminal ATA.
My shippers are paying my tolls. When I go to Maine I earn well over $2.50/mile, plus toll money. I doubt I’ll worry about a$30 toll on a $3500 paying load. I get in and out of New England spending half the toll money IAM paid. Most o/o are better at wineing about their business than running it.
ATA is doing it for the “BIG TRUCKING CORPORATIONS” no one else..!!
ATA finally learns that to cooperate with DOT , Highway patrol or any other government agencies is suicidal. Once they start regulating with your cooperation, it never stop.
All you truckers better hope and pray ATA wins this case, as Connecticut is thinking of doing something with tolling also. At this point and time I don’t know if it will be just trucks or trucks and cars.