Supporters of Rhode Island’s infamous truck-only tolls have lost another petition in court. This decision will allow lawsuits to proceed in federal court over the allegedly discriminatory and unconstitutional tolls.
Truck-only tolls in RI are part of Gov. Gina Raimondo’s RhodeWorks program. Of the 13 planned toll gantries, only two are currently up and running. But RI estimates that they will raise $1 billion off of truckers within 10 years.
RIDOT lawyers had hoped to prevent trucking groups from suing them in federal court by claiming that the tolls constituted a state tax which the federal government didn’t have any jurisdiction over. The United States First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled late last year that the case could indeed be decided in federal court.
An appeal for a rehearing was then filed, but it has now been denied.
Trucking industry lawyers will now argue in federal court that the truck-only tolls are discriminatory and constitute an unconstitutional bar on interstate commerce, violating the U.S. Constitutions Commerce Clause.
Despite the court challenges against the tolls, Rhode Island continues to collect toll. Recently RIDOT even asked the public to support a toll hike which would double the tolls at one of the busiest tolling locations in the state.
Source: ttnews
Totally discriminatory and illegal.
Actually there’s 5 toll gantries operating not 2, also they want to double one toll rate and eliminate the toll after it. So in essence it would be even…that being said the tolls are BS and need to be removed. They’re not marked correctly and drivers have no idea they’re even on a toll road. I WANT MY MONEY BACK!
Toll everybody or toll nobody.
Where’s Rhode Island, is that even a State? Lol
Extortion artists, no better than Lumpers and Brokers.
LOL….RI doesn’t show up on my GPS. I run in the south way to expensive running in NE. Its going to put a hurting on RI when they have to refund all that money they collected illegally.
Everybody hates truckers until they run out of food!
Big statement but you can’t do a damn thing about it, you post it because you can. Truckers are the dumbest part of society and will pay pay and pay more and bitch and moan but no one does shit about it. Yes, I said it. Thanks for buying my beach house by the way, stay dumb and I live large. Boo yah
Good. Rhode Island should become Rhode Island County, CT. Then at least we’d only have to fight 1 state in PNE (Pretend New England) over truck only tolls.
I say dont go to rl by pass it and when no one in rl ain’t getting there supplies to bad thank your governor for that
Don’t drive in that God forsaken state there’s other ways to get to Boston ma
Imagine what the revenue would be if they collected from 4-wheelers 💸💰🥴👍🤑
It most certainly is discriminatory! And Rhode Island is probably has one of the most corrupt state government in the Union.
Those who drive cars are human beings, those who drive trucks are dumb and pay for all. Look at spring valley toll in New York they took away car tolls and triple the truck tolls, nothing happened. Truckers are dumb and will pay pay and pay, no one will do a damn thing about it. Mark my words, just dig deeper sheep.
It will stay and ct will get it passed too. Truckers are sheep and dumb. No one will strike for one second, all it will take is for all truckers to go on a one week vacation, but it will never ever happen.
Cut those fools off. If they want their stuff, let them spend the fuel money and wear and tear on their own vehicles to go get it.
Oh wait, is that what they think WE are for? Not if they expect us to pay for the “privilege” of hauling their goods and services.
2, 4, 6, 8, 18.
All wheels or none.
It’s an easy fix, NO TRUCKS SHOULD ENTER ROAD ISLAND.
Come to the state line to get your goods.
Good, but doesn’t mean out of the woods yet. U can bet the states will be watching and advocating for this.. all states want to do it. Too bad no one in the industry has the gonads to simply stop going there.
They will keep this kind of crap up until truckers step up . But that won’t happen.
RI asked the 4-wheelers, if it’s okay to double the tolls on the trucks, that’s in the way of their morning commute? What would the 4’s say?? I wonder if they’ll consider their cost of goods? For the life of me, I can’t figure why the New England States, don’t file a class action lawsuit against NY, for the highway robbery at the George Washington Bridge. NY is holding the New England States commerce hostage. I just stay away from it all! Let all of New England 4’s drive to the tolls edge to buy their goods.
It’s Unconstitutional as the roads are already paid for via FUEL TAX. Only way it could be lawful is if the road is a privately owned road on private property. If the RI kommies in charge win, then companies simply won’t go there plain & simple. Let m starve.
Actually it is perfectly legal IF, And I MEAN IF there is ZERO FEDERAL FUNDING PAYING FOR THAT ROAD. Wyoming has been trying for 30 years to Toll I-80 with no success because of Federal Law that says Tolling only allowed if there is no federal funding used to pay for it.
Chicago Illinois has tolls all around the city pick a highway. The problem is the toll money is not fixing the roads. I would be ok with tolls if 2 things happened.
1. They toll everyone
2. They use the tolls to fix the roads not put it in the GENERAL FUND
for the Liberals to spend.
Land of the free? Right. Every were you go these greedy politicians trying to tax and toll us to death . Instead of staying on budget,they spend like drunkard sailors. Stop voting these idiots in. We need new blood for our leaders.
Why dont the state just toll everyone….make tolls legally
Why don’t sates use the IFTA money, gas tax money and the road use tax that is included with registrations to pay for the roads instead of putting it in the GENERAL FUND. The money just gets spent however they want because there is no accountability.
Love this 1
The public is going to pay . Trucking Companies aren’t stupid. Million dollar companies dont stay millionaires because of things like this. They are going to charge more to haul to that state. Prices hikes will show up in the stores.