As the first truck-only tolls in Rhode Island are collected, trucking groups are doubling down on their promises to fight the tolls “by any means necessary.”
The American Trucking Association has issued a press release slamming Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo’s decision to keep moving forward with the truck-only tolls. The ATA also doubled down on their claim that the tolls are unconstitutional.
Supporters of the tolls claim that since trucks cause the majority of wear and tear on highways, that trucks should be the ones to pay for their upkeep and repair. But even if that were true, tolls still might not be the best way to go about raising revenue.
Rhode Island’s truck-only tolls are supposed to cost drivers $45 million per year. But anti-tolling advocates have pointed out that the vast majority of those costs will simply be passed along to Rhode Island’s citizens when prices for everything go up due to increased freight costs. It ends up functioning like a tax, but critics say that even a tax would be preferable.
That’s because tolling is one of the least efficient ways to raise new income with an estimated 30% of all money raised going to overhead. But there’s also the safety issue. According to ATA President and CEO Chris Spear, tolls push traffic off of highways designed for heavy trucks and onto smaller local roads. This poses a safety issue, especially when Rhode Island has said they don’t currently have a plan for incentivizing trucks to stay on tolled highways.
“By pressing ahead with her ill-conceived RhodeWorks scheme, Gov. Raimondo is violating the Constitution by interfering with interstate commerce,” said Spear. “She and her administration were warned of this repeatedly by the trucking industry and we will continue to fight these unjust tolls by any means available.”
Source: ATA, gobytrucknews, truckinginfo
James Gilley says
Rhode island I hope you loose … if your plan does take hold then I predict that it will spread across America like a wild fire …which will in turn begin a nation wide shut down because the trucking industry can’t afford to pay such revenue… it is unfair that we the truck driver get such blame to the poor road conditions when your private vehicle greatly out number the commercial vehicle …and you like all the other states keep waisting your money on new road ways but you can’t afford to repair or rebuild the ones you already have ….
Peter Kouba says
I have been saying for years, if you don’t want trucks to destroy your roads because of our weight, then build the road right the first time by building a road surface that can handle the weight of a 80k truck. You don’t see airports repaving the runways every few years. The reason for that is that they build the runways to a specification that can handle a plane landing on it. It’s simple logic, people!
Scott says
The reason roads aren’t built to last is one simple reason (Job Security)
napoleon vanoye says
Thats named CORRUPTION…..when the Construction Companies take a project… they have Engineers that know exactlly what they’re doing…Politicians who award the contracts they know as well becouse of the price and timming of works….And if they keep building bad roads is just they’re fault ….bad designs low quality materials used etc etc
Do not blame anybody else ….You didnt Know?….then what politicians are doing there ordering works without knowing it?….is called INCOMPETENCE….. CORRUPTION
Steve Gross says
Trucking companies just don’t go no goods no need for trucks. Highways are designed to move comerce across the country not cars
Iron Horse and Wooden Men says
Are InterState systems are owned by the government and are there to be able to move our military and land planes if need be. Why do you think you’ll lose messing with a military convoy. Look it up. This country needs a good two day shut down for all but the most essential things to get the shippers and receivers onboard with the trucking companies. Then all have to come to an equal arrangements.
John says
Shut down all trucking for 48 hours and watch the panic ensue. Some gas stations need fuel every 4 to 6 hours or they run out. They run out, banks and food stores are next. Then pharmacies are next. People panic and shut their doors in fear. Businesses shut down. Economy crashes. Oops.
Steve Gross says
Truckers need to stick together take a weeks vacation at same time, that will get the general public and idiots attention that make laws about trucking with no knowledge of trucking
David says
No need for a strike, just everyone refuse any freight in or out of RI. Watch them cry like hell first, then shut down the tolls.
Andrew H says
If you’re going to put up a toll, toll everyone. It’s that simple.
outback says
I guess Rhode Island doesn’t need freight hauled in or out.
Sean miller says
S shutdown will never happen trucks will still go there look at all the tolls allready was supposed to be lifted when money was recooped but they are still there.
Mrs. C says
They said we do the most damage to the roads!! 🤔🤔🤔 Well I guess they forgot about the tax we already get taxed every year on every truck on the road that $550 for Heavy Highway Tax. This was said like we’re all just leisurely driving semis around and we should pay for doing so.
Gary says
Every trucker should take RI Route 3
Starting today. Its pretty scenic. And could save you 40 bucks a day.
Michael Charette says
Its supposed to be a one time per day fee of $3.and change . If you pay one toll you shouldn’t have to pay the others . This is what the wicked witch of the west said anyway. Taking Route 3 is not advisable because some parts are weight restricted and there will be extra cops patroling those areas where you can get off . The fines could add up to more than the tolls so it would be smart to just pay the toll . I know how to get around every one of these tolls with no problems but if the cops see one truck ,not a problem,ten or more they would start pulling them over. Gary says route 3 but does he realize there is a State police barracks on that road .
Darryl Pobieglo says
Isn’t time we strike ??? We just keep taking up the you know what.. strikes work. Time to shut em down. O O are worried about one or two weeks with no money but keep hauling for such a small percentage or what frieghts really worth. Smart in up . Time to strike and see what your really worth..
MrNA says
The real battle is building and maintaining roads and Design for heavy truck traffic. Think about it this way if you put a cheap Bolt on your shock absorber mount it will eventually shear off. But if you use the correct grade 8 bolt and regularly check it to make sure it’s clean, aligned and not loose it will probably last a lifetime. In America we build cheap roads to the highest when then screw the citizens Once More by not maintaining them. Why is it some states have nice roads and others have horrible?. Think about it.
Jeremy says
RI gov is placing bets like one would playing poker. They’re looking at the history of the New York Thruway,Mass Turnpike,NYC/NJ Port Authority etc. and foresee a common behavioral pattern,if you will,of initial outrage followed by eventual acceptance and compliance by the outspoken opposition to the legislation. Over the years we’ve witnessed shocking increases in toll charges in NY,Illinois etc. to which the bark from the trucking industry far outweighed the bite. You will comply! You will pay and you will like it,like the good little slaves and spineless jellyfish that you are,like usual!
Robert V MAHONEY says
Every person in America benefits from trucks, America well stop without them so everyone should be responsible for the upkeep of the roads.
charles says
yes drop n hook at california and ri, simple
Terry Barron says
There will be a new surcharge on every shipment into the state. That means everything they buy will have a charge added on to it! Good luck getting the roads fixed because the state will never put a dime into fixing them with the toll money. The state will use the extra money for the general budget!
James says
ELOGS are unconstitutional.
This is how stupid the ATA know you really are.
Nemo says
It’s not trucks that damage the roads, it’s roads not built to handle trucks. How often do they need to fix potholes in airport runways? They have airplanes, that weigh a lot more than a truck, crashing into them every 5 minutes.
Jerry says
Isn’t amazing how government makes hundreds of millions a day from high fuel taxes that are supposed to pay for road maintenance but never seem to have the money for up keep on roads? Wonder why taxes never seem to go to where they are supposed to go.
Karen Johnson says
The governor of Rhode Island needs to do some math if you figure it out pound per square inch of rubber on the road an average car puts more pressure on the road then an 80000 pound truck
Lunchbox says
That’s fine keep on messing around Rhode island, There so many that are only gonna take so much of your crap
Lunchbox says
Btw ATA get real, you in no way help the American Trucker, You help the big trucking corporations Not the owner Ops, stop trying to screw the little guy
NotStormrider says
You will pay the tolls and you will like it! You truckers run your mouth too much. That’s about it.