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Originally Posted by someone123
It stands out to me how these articles refer to modernization efforts to accept credit or debit but I don't know of any modern projects around here (meaning the western part of North America I've done road trips around in recent years) that use that kind of toll system. They are all based on reading license plates and they periodically mail bills out. There is no visible collection infrastructure or tolling step that bridge or highway users encounter during travel. It's hard to imagine how that could be less cost effective than the toll booths.
(Note that improving throughput and reducing hassle at the bridges should increase usage. Even just taking out the gates and lane changes would speed things up, and the optical plate reading systems don't need vehicles to slow down or stop.)
The electronic Port Mann Bridge tolling was set up in 2012 and the tolls have since been eliminated.
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I believe AET is the bridge commission’s preferred solution. But they need the UARB’s approval and that means demonstrating the public is onboard with the change. And this is Nova Scotia, where there’s always a vocal minority who hate change. They don’t want their license plates read, they don’t want to set up a payment account and they don’t want to get bills in the mail. (Hell, 20 years after MacPass was introduced there is still 15% of users clinging to cash. I know some of them...regular bridge crossers who insist on throwing loonies in the basket every time.) As long as there are vocal opponents, UARB will quite probably insist the bridge commission keep taking cash.
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