TJ-RUBI
12-29-2004, 09:48 PM
Q--I recently obtained an I-PASS transponder and feel uncertain whether I am getting a straight answer about the upcoming toll hike from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. I occasionally pull a two-axle RV trailer, which requires that I use the manual lanes.
So with a trailer, I will have four axles. I now have an I-PASS, but what will I be charged in the manual lanes? Twenty cents or 40 cents per axle?
Bob Wayman, e-mail
A--Neither. We have bad news for Mr. W. and others with his situation. Their vehicles will be charged the new rate for medium-sized trucks starting Jan. 1.
Hitch even one additional axle to a car and you have what toll authorities consider a truck.
Truck tolls are set to almost triple depending on the size of the vehicle, the time of day and whether I-PASS is used.
Lower tolls on truckers will be charged during non-peak hours, which are weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and all day on weekends.
An automobile with a two-axle trailer now pays an 80-cent toll, or 20 cents for each additional trailer axle, at toll plazas where the standard toll for cars is 40 cents.
Starting Jan. 1, the driver of the same automobile pulling a two-axle trailer will pay $1.75 during the overnight hours regardless of whether cash or I-PASS is used, as well as when using I-PASS during non-peak weekday and weekend daytime hours, according to the toll authority.
The toll for the automobile with the two-axle trailer jumps to $2.25 during peak hours whether cash or I-PASS is used, as well as if cash is used during non-peak weekday and weekend daytime hours.
Trucks and trailers will be categorized in three categories: small truck, two axles with six tires; medium, three to four axles; and large truck, five or more axles, said tollway spokeswoman Jan Kemp.
A vehicle with two axles and two or four tires is still considered a car, for purposes of toll rates, Kemp said.
Tolls will increase 100 percent at all times next year for cars not using the I-PASS automated toll-collection system. Cars with I-PASS will not see a change in rates, regardless of the time of day they travel. That explains why I-PASS usage jumped to 1.4 million accounts recently.
Some additional advice: Drivers towing boats or campers must continue to use the manual lanes even if traveling with a standard car I-PASS transponder. The toll collector will classify your vehicle for the additional toll amount for the trailer. In the future, I-PASS customers towing trailers will be able to use open-road tolling lanes, which allow traffic to flow at highway speeds, and the toll is automatically charged.
In the meantime, drivers who frequently haul a trailer or a camper on the tollway can choose to get special I-PASS transponders for Class 7 (for one-axle trailer) or Class 8 (for two-axle trailer) vehicles that will permit use of either the manual lanes, the Truck I-PASS Only lanes or the I-PASS Express lanes while having the toll electronically deducted.
More information on I-PASS is available at www.getipass.com. I-PASS can be purchased online, by going to local Jewel-Osco stores ...
So with a trailer, I will have four axles. I now have an I-PASS, but what will I be charged in the manual lanes? Twenty cents or 40 cents per axle?
Bob Wayman, e-mail
A--Neither. We have bad news for Mr. W. and others with his situation. Their vehicles will be charged the new rate for medium-sized trucks starting Jan. 1.
Hitch even one additional axle to a car and you have what toll authorities consider a truck.
Truck tolls are set to almost triple depending on the size of the vehicle, the time of day and whether I-PASS is used.
Lower tolls on truckers will be charged during non-peak hours, which are weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and all day on weekends.
An automobile with a two-axle trailer now pays an 80-cent toll, or 20 cents for each additional trailer axle, at toll plazas where the standard toll for cars is 40 cents.
Starting Jan. 1, the driver of the same automobile pulling a two-axle trailer will pay $1.75 during the overnight hours regardless of whether cash or I-PASS is used, as well as when using I-PASS during non-peak weekday and weekend daytime hours, according to the toll authority.
The toll for the automobile with the two-axle trailer jumps to $2.25 during peak hours whether cash or I-PASS is used, as well as if cash is used during non-peak weekday and weekend daytime hours.
Trucks and trailers will be categorized in three categories: small truck, two axles with six tires; medium, three to four axles; and large truck, five or more axles, said tollway spokeswoman Jan Kemp.
A vehicle with two axles and two or four tires is still considered a car, for purposes of toll rates, Kemp said.
Tolls will increase 100 percent at all times next year for cars not using the I-PASS automated toll-collection system. Cars with I-PASS will not see a change in rates, regardless of the time of day they travel. That explains why I-PASS usage jumped to 1.4 million accounts recently.
Some additional advice: Drivers towing boats or campers must continue to use the manual lanes even if traveling with a standard car I-PASS transponder. The toll collector will classify your vehicle for the additional toll amount for the trailer. In the future, I-PASS customers towing trailers will be able to use open-road tolling lanes, which allow traffic to flow at highway speeds, and the toll is automatically charged.
In the meantime, drivers who frequently haul a trailer or a camper on the tollway can choose to get special I-PASS transponders for Class 7 (for one-axle trailer) or Class 8 (for two-axle trailer) vehicles that will permit use of either the manual lanes, the Truck I-PASS Only lanes or the I-PASS Express lanes while having the toll electronically deducted.
More information on I-PASS is available at www.getipass.com. I-PASS can be purchased online, by going to local Jewel-Osco stores ...