Truckers will begin shelling out money to the first truck-only tolls in the country before the end of the year. The director of the Rhode Island DOT claims that the state will have two gantries up and running along I-95 by December.
The highly controversial truck-only tolls are part of Gov. Gina Raimondo’s RhodeWorks plan, a $1 billion investment in the state’s roads and bridges. A large portion of the money is expected to be collected at tolling locations spread across the state.
Only two gantries will be operational by the end of 2017, but a total of 14 will be open and collecting tolls by early summer of 2019. Each toll will cost truckers about $3, with a maximum of $20 going in one direction and $40 per day.
In order to try and placate the trucking industry, the state lowered the cost of vehicle registration fees in a move that was supposed to cost $4.2 million per year. But the state miscalculated and now they have received about $1.1 million less in registration fees than expected.
According to the president of the Rhode Island Trucking Association, Christopher Maxwell, the discrepancy is due to the state not taking in to account the International Registration Plan which has state DOTs redistribute portions of registration fees to other states depending on where the CMV owner actually drove. Maxwell points to this as proof that Gov. Raimondo doesn’t understand how the trucking industry works.
While the state is expecting an annual revenue of $45 million from the truck-only tolls, Maxwell claims that “RhodeWorks does not work on paper.”
“The only reason Rhode Works has been deemed successful is because it hasn’t been tried yet,” Maxwell said in an interview with GoLocal LIVE. “When they try, it’s going to fail.”
Source: overdrive, truckersreport, providencejournal, golocal, audioboom, providencejournal
Erich Whaples says
I guess it’s time to start filing discrimination lawsuits against the state of Rhode Island because that is one state now I will never come to again in a truck
Wesley Cory says
That’s what I was thinking, little discriminatory there don’t you think.
John H Tobin says
This is NOT the “First only truck toll” in the US, New York has had truck only toll for years on New York State Thruway in Spring Valley.
Gary Fowler says
Correct.
Robert Gural says
Scratch Rhode island off my list !!!!
Iriemonarch says
The cost will be passed down to the customer as usual.
PETE says
Yea its going to fail truckers stop going to rhode island.Its that simple
Samuel says
This doesn’t mean anything. They drive up the costs, we drive up the costs, the price of the finished products are raised, and the consumer pays for it regardless. This is a market economy and everyone who works hard will get paid. Government dogs and the poor will never understand this
Big_Huge_Mike says
The people voted against the tolling of trucks in fear that it would be four wheelers paying them eventually they forced it through….
Jerry says
Oh how true that is…..I’m of the same belief for many years now. They just don’t get it, the bottom line is, the consumer pays more for products. It’s all greed!!
Annon says
This is NOT the first tolling for Trucks. There is a toll for trucks on I-287 in NY southbound toward NJ
bil.com says
In case you guys do not realize something, every one of those states you have listed, has already collected some form of revenue from everyone of you in vehicle registration ,road mileage taxes, Ton , mile taxes ,or what ever they call their TOLL for using their roads, do you remember what the Boston tea party was about ?
Jack Branson says
Trucks need to stop going into Road Island.
Pete Guggenheim says
New York has already has truck only tolls on 287 west. Has been there a few years.
Jason Breese says
As an O/O “IF” I ever have to go I have every intention of charging for the tolls and then some on top of that for the hassle. I’m sick of being nickeled and dimed every time I turn around. I pay plenty of taxes for the LACK of road work around this country.
If they don’t like it they are more than welcome to find someone else to take the load, I haven’t lost anything in Rhode Island
bil.com says
that is exactly the attitude it is going to take to make these people realize, that their mis-management does NOT create a crisis on our part !
Corrupt Digit says
I avoid this state, no matter what. I suggest you do the same. Or, you will be seeing this crap all over the US.
Randy Joe says
Go around hell in over 30 yrs witch I ran East alot I only delivered and picked up there one time so screw them. Here is a thought how about a increase in freight rates and driver pay so we can pay all these crazy tolls
Jim Ianozi says
Actually this is not a first trucker only tolls on 287 in New Jersey there’s a trucker only toll
Steve says
Add RI to CA. I have not been to CA for 5 years and will never return. Rarely go to MA or ME so RI has zero chance of collecting on me.
Al Rolland says
This is one state I will no longer drive through … I hope other trucker’s follow this path.
Trucker’s have had enough of the excessive fees.
Greg Robinson says
They all need us, but they all keep giving us more and more shit.. more tolls, more rules, more regulations, and of course ELOGS!!!, they treat us like outsiders!!!.. they being the government…! That’s why we should PARK!!! Stop all freight!!!! But no-one will park, just keep complaining
Robert Scott says
I won’t be going in or out of Rhode Island ever.
Laurie says
I can see where an independent driver can refuse loads to RI, but what about company drivers? If they’re given a load up there, can they really say no?
troy says
If your a company driver you do what the company says to do. You shouldn’t really care since you don’t pay for the toll anyways. Big company’s can and will charge the customer more and the customer will charge the consumer more. It’s really a tax on consumers.
James Davis says
Yes decline the load
bil.com says
In that case, the only harm is to the people of RI, They are going to pay for the increase of freight. CH Robinson, if you know who that is, will not absorb that cost he will pass it on, the same for the Bid companies too. Just hope your company doesn’t pass that expense to you.
Len Anderson says
As a car hauler in New England I won’t be going in or out Rhode Island
dave says
3 dollar toll is not much to cry about for interstate and of course adjust for cost. The real problem is local as this is a significant obstacle to time and cost. I suggest locals come up with a time stamp for a boycott and try to make an impact that way, of course the real problem to this is those who will try to gain market share off the proscribed action.
bil.com says
obviously you are a driver, and have no interest in how this effects the owner of the vehicle you drive.
Kevin says
Typical Government response to fiscal issues. This not only hits the trucker, but the people in higher rates. Rates will increase into RI.
La manta says
Honestly this industry is turning into the worst place to invest your money !!! Between the taxes the diesel price the DOT all those small cities living out of drivers money and now more tolls sell your truck and go back to school you will make more money !!!!
Mister says
That’s a lie. Average person with a degree makes about 27,000
Shane says
I think all trucking companies should just stop going into RI. When they start complaining about how they don’t have toilet paper and other goods that are brought in by trucks then we have some leverage. But we all know that will never happen because of spineless companies that have no regard to protect the industry.
bil.com says
Go to work for the biggest company you can get to hire you. Drivers wages in 2017, have been at the highest reported level in the last 4 years.
Jim says
I live in se ma, and have to run into providence ri everyday. My rates are absolutely going up, if it’s 40 in tolls a day, I will raise that rate to 80. The people of ri are going to be hot the hardest, it’s not far for a regular family to run 10min into mass, or ct to buy groceries ,fuel ect… ri is shooting itself in the foot on this one.
Tripping over a dime to pick up a penny
Vince says
Everyone out there is trying to milk the trucking industry. It’s ridiculous! We already pay fuel tax and heavy road use tax…. enough with the tolls already.
These cities and states have robbed Peter to pay Paul and it’s finally catching up to them. Quit using appropriated funds for other purposes!
I will do everything I can to avoid going through there….
SAMUEL LEE says
BOYCOTT!!!!
Sean says
Good thing I don’t go to New England. This just adds to the reason I know longer go up there…New England is the most liberal and trucker unfriendly region outside of Comifornia, which I also won’t pull to.
Mark Fescemyer says
I guess equal protection under the law means nothing. Just soak truckers when they want slush fund money.
James Davis says
Boycott RI. But as other drivers have said it would take everyone to do it,I drive for a big co.but I can also say no to RI.
Donald Berry says
Simple….They can buy their own trucks…
Brett says
Start an O/O Teamsters Union, pay dues in proportion to your wages, hire a group of young lawyers fresh out of law school with high potential employed by said union for the soul purpose of its members or start talking to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters about representation of an independent making for a much stronger organization and solidarity when an organized action would benefit all trucking.
If a large number of immigrant truck drivers can for the most part put a grinding halt or mass slowdown at the LA/LB port for higher wages and to be considered an employee instead of an independent contractor over the last couple years then what do most of you think you can do by moaning and groaning here, not much.
If you plan on just moaning then at least learn how to spell, use proper grammar, otherwise when the educated read what you print they do look down at you and or don’t give you much credence.
If all of this sounds condescending to many of you then disregard it and through a truckers paper you find in truck stops place an advertisement asking fellow drivers to save X amount of their weekly/ monthly wage in whatever financial vehicle they choose then all take an organized one or two week vacation either jamming up some town or city and publicise what you wish to accomplish in doing so and do it without incident. Call television station affiliates to cover the vacation walkout and as stated by others here “when people start needing toilet paper and other necessary items to get through their day actions for your plight may come forth. If not have another vacation next year with even more drivers.
Our president is breaking the mold so why can’t we as drivers instead of endless comments, break the mold, start a snowball movement. Even if it is for now just at your trucking/ manufacturing company, at my company we do this for better benefits and you know what, it works.
Best of luck to you all,
Trucking now for 42 years and not slowing down.
Dazzling Piazza says
I recall back in the 80’s when I lived in Connecticut I-95 was falling apart. The state was asking the US DOT fr funds to repair it. The state was told the only way they could get this funding was to drop all the tolls from NY State line to the toll on I-395. Within months I 95 became a new road. If RI places a truck toll on I-95 one may think they will lose federal funding.
Pleats.. says
It’s devilish gread how the every day struggling trucker driver has to pay sush a high toll.. a reasonable price is fine butt for example look how they are extorting use at the George and all the other NYC and Nj bridge crossings. Doesn’t hurt those who pay it hurts use.!!!
david wheeler says
It is so easy to avoid the state of Rhode Island. On 95 north, take exit 76 for 395 north. This also avoids the weigh station on 95. 395 turns into 290. Follow 290 until you hit 495.
Gary Fowler says
It’s not the first truck only toll.
Stingray1963 says
I am so glad not to be driving OTR. There’s not much profit in it with all the expenses an o/o or a fleet owner incur. I’d tell states like Rhode Island to go pack their own freight in from neighboring states on their backs like a bunch of slaves.
Wes says
Screw anything east of the Hudson, anyway.
Michele says
Guess I get to avoid taking freight to Rhode Island
darrell kendall says
Boycott the State let their own trucks bring the loads back in when coming home
Sheldon Johnson says
I refuse to drive in that general area to begin with just due to the fact that the traffic and roads stress the living daylights out of me. I’ll take the 11 western and Midwest states any day of the week over those New England states.
qman says
You guys don’t understand. The truck only roads are the precursor to autonomous trucks. In other words, the lanes for truck only will be available. This is just an excuse to make us pay for what they are already going to do. Trucks driving themselves down the road.
John holt says
Just refuse to go there and don’t buy fuel in their state soon or later they might get the message 😀