OOIDA Call To Action - Maryland Members
January 6, 2009

Truckers in Maryland, heads up! Talk about some discrimination with a capital D – the Maryland Transportation Authority has proposed raising truck tolls by as much as 50 percent while leaving tolls for four-wheelers unchanged. The authority is accepting public comments on the proposal, and a public hearing is scheduled before the end of the month.

The Transportation Authority is also talking about implementing a monthly $1.50 fee for E-ZPass accounts and raising other administrative fees for use of the authority’s seven tollways. Officials cited the need for “cost recovery” in the face of a struggling economy, a decline in tollway traffic and increasing costs.

But that same economy has many truckers struggling to make ends meet, and the same economy has seen toll increases implemented or proposed in numerous other states.

Also, it’s ironic that the MTA cites the struggling economy as justification for raising tolls and fees on truckers because truckers are hurting as much as, if not more than, everyone else right now. This is absolutely the worst time for the MTA to impose unnecessary toll increases on truckers and jeopardize them as well as the businesses and consumers they serve.

Truckers are urged to get involved in the public process. Truckers should consider contacting lawmakers, attending public hearings, and submitting comments on regulatory matters that are essential to their livelihoods.

The Maryland Transportation Authority is accepting public comments on the proposal until Tuesday, Jan. 27, and a public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 29.

Public comments are being accepted at the following address:

Attn: Mr. Ronald L. Freeland
Executive Secretary
Maryland Transportation Authority
2310 Broening Hwy., Suite 150
Baltimore, MD 21224
E-mail: mdtatollrates@mdta.state.md.us

The public hearing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Maryland Transportation Authority, 2310 Broening Hwy., Suite 160, Baltimore, MD 21224. Call 410-537-1005 or 410-355-7024 TTY at least 48 hours in advance if you require special accommodations to attend the hearing.