Marylanders Could Save $28M With New Toll Payment Options

MARYLAND — Drivers could save more than $28 million in five years thanks to new payment options and a statewide toll modernization plan unanimously approved Nov. 21 by the Maryland Transportation Authority board at its meeting, state officials said. The board also approved a contract for the MD 301 bridge replacement in southern Maryland and authorized $58 million to improve southbound Interstate 95 in Harford County.

“The toll reductions approved today deliver on Maryland’s commitment to help small businesses and the hard-working people who use our toll facilities for work, recreation and their daily commutes,” said MDTA Executive Director James F. Ports, Jr. in a statement.

Cheaper rates for a few vehicles or payment methods would roll out in the next couple of years, and follow controversy over Gov. Larry Hogan's plan to widen the Beltway and Interstate 270 by two lanes in each direction with private firms that would finance, build and maintain the new lanes in exchange for the authority to charge tolls over the next 50 or more years.

The toll reduction package includes a new Pay-by-Plate option, effective by June 2020, that allows tolls to be billed to credit cards at the same rate cash customers pay now. For the all-electronic Intercounty Connector/MD 200 and I-95 Express Toll Lanes, customers will pay 20 percent less than the video toll rate.

In addition, new vehicle classes with lower rates will be in place by September 2020, providing a 50 percent reduction in tolls for motorcycles and reductions of 25 and 17 percent, respectively, for “light” vehicles towing one- and two-axle trailers. The package also includes a 15 percent discount for video tolling customers who pay the toll before their invoices are mailed. This payment option will be in place by December 2020.

The reductions have been made possible due to a modernization plan that will upgrade toll-collection hardware and software. The savings represent the latest round of toll relief under the Hogan Administration, resulting in up to $344 million in combined savings since 2014, the governor's office has said.