By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-849708.mp3
Dallas, TX –
Get ready to pay a lot more to take the toll road. KERA's BJ Austin says the North Texas Tollway Authority has approved a more than 30% rate hike starting September first.
Before the vote to raise the tolls, there was some concern voiced about the 32% hike, and a provision that allows for AUTOMATIC, 6% rate increases every two years - without board approval.
But, in the end, there was only one NO vote. It came from Board member Bob Day, who unsuccessfully proposed phasing-in the 30% hike over the next two years. He predicts the Dallas North Tollway, the George Bush Turnpike, and Highway 121, the Sam Rayburn Tollway, will lose some business.
Day: The people that use it everyday as their major transportation will keep using it. The few people who are marginal in terms of either their income or otherwise will have to consider whether they want to continue using it.
At a gas station just off the Dallas North Tollway this commuter says he's got a decision to make.
Commuter: It costs me probably 100-120 dollars a month. I commute from Lake Highlands to the southern part of Frisco. I may have to think about an alternate route. That's pretty significant.
Tollway officials say they need cash. Revenues are no longer enough to meet obligations to creditors. They also say the automatic, two year, rate hikes are necessary to borrow money to build new projects.