EZ Pass and towing

[mwilson]

Maine has a Turnpike!!!!!!!. When did that happen, is it I95?

Dave

1947 believe it or not....I’ll explain further shortly..

http://www.maineturnpike.com/

 

[TFucili]

Yeah, I remember we used to skirt 95 as long as we could, then got off in Waterville, to pick up 201 on the way to Jackman. Last trip was @'98. I sorta think that may have been the last toll booth???

 

[DavidC]

On the way down we would get on at Houlton and just stay on 95 so maybe we picked up a ticket there and paid when we were leaving Maine then the opposite going back to base. Pick up a ticket entering Maine then pay at Houlton, if I remember right (starting to doubt myself) 95 ended at Houlton.

Dave

 

[mwilson]

Ok, here is the layout...
Maine Turnpike starts a couple of miles after the Maine /New Hampshire bridge in York. Continues to Augusta. It is currently designated as I-95 which has changed a few times over the years. I-95 ends in Houlton at the New Brunswick border.
There is an alternative route from Portland to Gardiner which is currently designated as I-295. We call it the "Freebie" and a lot of traffic uses it as it is a bit shorter and saves tolls. I do not as I prefer the lighter traffic and the better maintenance of the Turnpike. I-295 also connects to US 1 in Brunswick so is popular with the tourists....

 

[Wayne M.]

They handle toll increases like a labor contract around here- in steps. So in 5 years, they have a nice increase one bit at a time. And they Time it outside of major elections.
Here is the current toll chart for Port Authority NY NJ crossings- anything connecting these 2 states.

 

[jhenderson]

I sure do not remember paying tolls in Maine. If I did I guess I am losing it. I do remember Pa., NJ.,RI., not sure about Conneticut or Mass. although I am sure they probably took some money. But then traveling from Pa. to Loring I was on 95 from beginning to end so maybe that is why I do not remember. I think it was RI you had to stop what seemed like every mile and pay the toll.

Dave

I do remember those old toll punch cards. No tolls in RI. That is until now. Our illustrious Gov pushed for and got what she claims are “ bridge tolls” for 18 wheelers only. I don’t see how taxing only one class of vehicle could possibly be legal but that’s what their doing. They’re calling selected overpasses bridges all along routes 95 and 195. When their done installing the automated gantries it’ll cost a truck over $20 to transit a state 40 miles long. We’re all waiting for the RI trucking assoc to file suit for discrimination against trailer trucks. Then they’ll just start charging us all. It never ends.

 

[DavidC]

Now see, I thought it was RI. which ever state it is/was I would no sooner get into fourth gear and I would be slowing to pay another toll, sure wish I could remember where it was. NJ use to be known as the taxiest state around and may still be as it seem's every state wants to rape the citizens from what I can tell. Punch cards was my era with turnpikes. Sure makes you wonder what happens to all that money. Last I was in Pa. the same potholes in the same place were there a good 20 years after I left, I could not believe it. Phoenix was talking about putting tolls on I-10 and I-17, that went over like a deflating balloon so I guess now they just added a $32 fee per year per registration. Estimated 6 million registered vehicles in Az

Dave

 

[TFucili]

Besides all the rest of the taxes and fees, my property taxes for equal square footage home in AZ, admittedly with no basement here, thirteen years later are still 1/6 of what they were in The People's Republic of NJ back then. And that was with Farmland Assessment!

 

[Wayne M.]

TF, now you’re bending this into property tax.
That’s a sore subject for me!
NYC once was manageable- that’s until the transfer of wealth began. One has to consider what they’re paying for, and what they’re getting in return. A police force, fire company, school system, and road services are not free.