Headline “Walker Backs Creation of Toll Lanes” – is a deliberately misleading headline.
Then they wait until the fifth paragraph to actually note that Scott opposes toll roads:
"I don't support tolls," Walker said. "Tolls are where you have no options I oppose tolls today just as much as I did in 2004." . . . (on paying).
This concept is working and there is tremendously successful around the country of both solving congestion issues and providing options to drivers to pay for convenience but allow people to continue to travel the roads without tolling people. Dare I say a free market concept embraced by several states – most notably in Minnesota to great success.
Most importantly is that this actually benefits low income bus riders – it allows buses to use the HOT lanes as well to ensure they stay on time and actually make the bus system run more efficiently.
Here are the real facts about HOT Lanes:
Successes-
High occupancy tolls or HOT lanes have seen expanded prominence over the last decade. HOT lanes use electronic transponders located in vehicles to access express highway lanes, which are designed to let car poolers, high occupancy vehicles, and emergency vehicles move at a quicker pace and avoid congestion. In most states, car poolers, buses, and emergency vehicles use HOT lanes for free. An individual driver can use the lanes for a fee, which varies depending on traffic congestion.
HOT lanes currently exist in Minnesota, California, Texas, Washington, Florida, Colorado and Utah. Among those states, California, Texas, and Minnesota are in the process of adding new lanes. Virginia, Georgia, and North Carolina are currently in the process of building HOT lanes.
HOT lanes in states like Minnesota have become popular and successful. Traffic in their HOT lanes has proved to move faster, accidents have slightly lowered, violation rates have been minimal, and congestion has improved. By just their fourth month in existence in 2005, 8,000 transponders had been ordered by Minnesotans.
Criticisms-
The main criticism of HOT lanes is that they benefit upper income individuals who can afford the fee and have been nicknamed “Lexus lanes.” In Minnesota and California usage of the lanes is diverse, but they are in fact used more by higher income individuals. Public opinion in Minnesota has showed broad support among various income groups for HOT lanes. As well as a survey in California which showed that 80% of individuals who earn $40,000 or less believe that single drivers should be able to use HOT lanes for a fee.
The lanes also have great benefit to lower income individuals who ride busses or use rapid transit. In most states high occupancy vehicles like buses use the HOT lanes for free. The lanes enabled users to get to work faster and avoid typical traffic backups.
One area of concern in Minnesota has been the little revenue generated from the fees. In 2009 Minnesota received $2 million in HOT lane fees while the operating costs were $1.7 million. This has been a consistent issue in Minnesota, where fees have covered operating costs and little else.
Walker Comments-
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker said he is generally opposed to tolls, which he considers "a huge deterrent" to tourism. But Walker said the HOT lane concept is worth discussing, because it gives motorists a choice.
-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 19, 2009
Walker, the Milwaukee County executive, stresses that he opposes traditional tolls like those in Illinois. Instead, he says he would consider building new lanes on busy highways that drivers could pay to use to save time.
-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 22, 2010
Verdict:
MOSTLY CRAP
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Alvious - Oct 25, 2010 11:56 AM
dad29 - Oct 25, 2010 2:55 PM
Like it or not, he's endorsing--mildly--building 'extra lanes' which would be toll-lanes.
Where he'd actually PUT them is another question.
honest ahab - Oct 25, 2010 3:37 PM
Corey - Oct 25, 2010 4:11 PM
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