Turnpike panel must justify need for an increase in tolls

On the surface, proposed toll increases for traveling the 241-mile James W. Shocknessy Ohio Turnpike look totally untimely and completely unjustified.
Cars and trucks would pay -- on average -- an additional half-cent per mile beginning Jan. 1, 2007, under the proposed changes that the Ohio Turnpike Commission agreed 4-1 earlier this week to present to the public at hearings.
As one might expect, the proposal has uncorked passionate gut-level attacks on several fronts.
What opponents say
Mohamed Darwish, the lone commission opponent to the increases argues: "We need to look internally and exhaust all options to cut costs before we burden the traveling public and the truckers with a toll increase. It's not like we're losing money here."
Gov. Bob Taft concurs, adding that if the increases are approved, he will ask the Ohio General Assembly to intervene to roll back the rates.
State Rep. Kenneth Carano, D-Austintown, noting this year's spiraling gasoline costs, said, "For the average person, what worse possible timing can there be. ... The commission isn't looking out for the welfare of the residents of the state of Ohio."
What turnpike commission says
The turnpike commission counters that rate adjustments are necessary because of increasing operating costs and because truck fares will return to higher 2004 rates if the commission does nothing. That's because in January 2005, the turnpike began a program trying to attract trucks away from secondary roads with a temporarily discounted rate.
The commission is even playing smoke and mirrors games, presenting the package as a rollback. True, truck rates will be lower than 2004 rates, but truck and passenger vehicle rates alike will be higher than current levels. But why not consider adjusting truck rates to the lower fare and leaving car and light vehicle rates alone?
Commission faces tough sell
All of which is not to say that the rate increases may not be justified. Before they're raised, however, commission members have a lot of explaining to do to the public. Fortunately they will have that opportunity at a series of three public hearings to be scheduled soon, one of which is expected to be in the Mahoning Valley.
Valley residents should make it a point to attend the hearing. There, they may justifiably ask why the increase is needed at such an inopportune time, when gasoline prices have reached record highs. They may justifiably ask why more effort is not placed on operating efficiencies, such as reducing staffing levels at turnpike toll plazas. According to the commission, it costs $750,000 per year to staff each of the 30 interchanges.
Why not then consider alternatives such as implementing an EZ-Pass electronic monitoring and payment system that most toll highways have in place. Such a system can reduce costs by cutting the number of costly toll attendants and can benefit drivers who will not lose valuable time stopping and starting to enter and exit the highway.
At its hearings, the public is sure to engage in rough-and-tough questioning. That's why it's incumbent on commission members and staff to be well prepared to defend and justify the proposed rate increases.
We look forward to attending the public hearings and to hearing compelling explanations on why the turnpike commission has no choice but to dig deeper into the pockets of a skeptical traveling public to maintain the 51-year-old highway.