4 ms·

New York State to Eliminate Cash Option for Paying Tolls

13 points by davidf18 10y ago

gumby 10y ago
They aren't kidding: whenever these systems are deployed the agencies choose privacy-destroying versions. They could just as easily have a refillable stored-value version, but instead they have one that reports its subscriber number and is tied to a user's account. Resulting in a data stream that can be subpoenaed or simply inspected. I guess people are just inured to this. Driver's licenses are full of info not required for driving. Oh, and a mandatory snarky Manhattanite snicker for "Bridge and Tunnel Officers"
ArkyBeagle 10y ago
The greater Houston area recently expanded its offering of toll roads. The effect is dramatic - it just feels like it's now possible to zip anywhere that's covered. I can only imagine the effect on carbon emissions - it has to be quite positive ( check the EPA estimates for city v. highway - there's a difference ). However, I still see ( in cases the majority ) pulling over to hit the cash lane. Are there that many people with credit bad enough to not be eligible for a TXDOT pass? Surely not the majority. Is it because people feel like they're being tracked? Is it some variation on a frugality exercise - sort of Dave Ramsay's "envelope" system? Maybe it's some grumpy expression of discontent with toll roads? So you're gonna sit in line to pay more, cash? I don't get it.
- shwash 10y ago
  It's a combination of education/credit card access/disposition against toll (EZPass guesses the numbers to pre-fill for you, people on tight budgets can't have $50 randomly disappear from their debit cards). Some people are driving cars they don't own. There's other stuff that's less acceptable - suspended licenses/old registrations/out of state drivers can't keep their EZ pass up to date. There's also a decent amount of Americans living a cash-mostly lifestyle. Many many americans blackballed from ever having a bank account because they let one go too deep in the red.
languagewars 10y ago
Hm, they've been caught before for trying to do something illegal; they are not allowed to give any form of discounts as a turnpike on the federal highway system. (To prevent perverting the cost structures to in-state user's advantage.) Are they not going to charge fees for these paper bills when paid on time? Can one pay one in cash and without needing a stamp? Even if they've sorted those two out, a third of people not paying and that being made up in fines makes it sound onerous which is against the spirit of the rules.

13 points by davidf18 10y ago

gumby 10y ago

They aren't kidding: whenever these systems are deployed the agencies choose privacy-destroying versions. They could just as easily have a refillable stored-value version, but instead they have one that reports its subscriber number and is tied to a user's account. Resulting in a data stream that can be subpoenaed or simply inspected. I guess people are just inured to this. Driver's licenses are full of info not required for driving. Oh, and a mandatory snarky Manhattanite snicker for "Bridge and Tunnel Officers"

ArkyBeagle 10y ago

The greater Houston area recently expanded its offering of toll roads. The effect is dramatic - it just feels like it's now possible to zip anywhere that's covered. I can only imagine the effect on carbon emissions - it has to be quite positive ( check the EPA estimates for city v. highway - there's a difference ). However, I still see ( in cases the majority ) pulling over to hit the cash lane. Are there that many people with credit bad enough to not be eligible for a TXDOT pass? Surely not the majority. Is it because people feel like they're being tracked? Is it some variation on a frugality exercise - sort of Dave Ramsay's "envelope" system? Maybe it's some grumpy expression of discontent with toll roads? So you're gonna sit in line to pay more, cash? I don't get it.

shwash 10y ago
It's a combination of education/credit card access/disposition against toll (EZPass guesses the numbers to pre-fill for you, people on tight budgets can't have $50 randomly disappear from their debit cards). Some people are driving cars they don't own. There's other stuff that's less acceptable - suspended licenses/old registrations/out of state drivers can't keep their EZ pass up to date. There's also a decent amount of Americans living a cash-mostly lifestyle. Many many americans blackballed from ever having a bank account because they let one go too deep in the red.

languagewars 10y ago

Hm, they've been caught before for trying to do something illegal; they are not allowed to give any form of discounts as a turnpike on the federal highway system. (To prevent perverting the cost structures to in-state user's advantage.) Are they not going to charge fees for these paper bills when paid on time? Can one pay one in cash and without needing a stamp? Even if they've sorted those two out, a third of people not paying and that being made up in fines makes it sound onerous which is against the spirit of the rules.