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Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour $1

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by NewzBot, Dec 10, 2008.

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  1. quailpond06

    quailpond06 New Member

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    We only take the Greedway when absolutely necessary...like last night, when 28 was so backed up that it was affecting the toll road--had to take the Greedway so that we could get our Little Dude in time....but we still hate giving then a cent!
     
    quailpond06, Dec 16, 2008
    #21
  2. pamD

    pamD New Member

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    My anger about the ridiculous toll and the bias against those of us going from Eastern Loudoun toward civilization was doubled when I noticed that there is an ADDITIONAL price break for people getting on after Claiborne or off before Claiborne if you use an EZ pass! But the EZ pass doesn't give you a break on a traditional commute....
     
    pamD, Dec 16, 2008
    #22
  3. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    For those as surprised as I was to read this, here are the new rate structures which now include some 'distance-based' rates, which I had no idea were being rolled out:

    (below information was extracted from the Dulles Greenway site at the following URL: http://dullesgreenway.com/index.php...tail,0&cntnt01articleid=15&cntnt01returnid=52)


    12/04/08
    NEW TOLL STRUCTURE FOR GREENWAY


    Effective January 1, 2009 the toll for travel on the Dulles Greenway will increase as permitted by the State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) approved toll structure.


    Category: General
    Posted by: Greenway

    The approved toll structure outlines a base toll as well as a congestion managment toll. The base toll at the Mainline Plaza/Route 28, Route 606/Ox Road and Route 607/Loudoun County Parkway will increase by $0.40 to $3.40 for a 2-axle vehicle. During defined congestion times, the toll at the Mainline Plaza, Route 606/Ox Road and Route 607/Loudoun County Parkway will increase $1.00 to $4.00 for a 2-axle vehicle. The congestion times are defined as follows:
    Eastbound 6:30 am through 9:00 am
    Westbound 4:00 pm through 6:30 pm.
    ​
    The schedule of new toll rates for 2-axle vehicles is noted below:
    BASE TOLL CASH/CREDIT CARD EZ-PASS

    • MAINLINE PLAZA/RTE 28 $3.40 $3.40
    • ROUTE 606/OX ROAD $3.40 $3.40
    • ROUTE 607/LOUDOUN CTY PKWY $3.40 $3.40
    • ROUTE 772/RYAN ROAD $2.70 $2.25
    • CLAIBORNE PARKWAY $2.70 $2.25
    • ROUTE 659/BELMONT RIDGE RD $2.70 $2.25
    • SHREVE MILL ROAD $2.30 $1.85


    CONGESTION MANAGEMENT TOLL EASTBOUND 6:30 AM - 9:00 AM WESTBOUND 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM CASH/CREDIT CARD EZ-PASS

    • MAINLINE PLAZA/RTE 28 $4.00 $4.00
    • ROUTE 606/OX ROAD $4.00 $4.00
    • ROUTE 607/LOUDOUN CTY PKWY $4.00 $4.00
    • ROUTE 772/RYAN ROAD $3.30 $2.85
    • CLAIBORNE PARKWAY $3.30 $2.85
    • ROUTE 659/BELMONT RIDGE RD $3.30 $2.85
    • SHREVE MILL ROAD $2.30 $1.85

    It should be noted that those Greenway motorists traveling onto or from the Dulles Toll Road will continue to pay the applicable Dulles Toll Road toll currently $0.50 for a 2 axle vehicle; bringing the total collected to $3.90 and $4.50 respectively.

    For more information on the Dulles Greenway, visit their web site at www.dullesgreenway.com or contact Ann Huggins-Lawler, Marketing & Public Relations Manager, TRIP II, 703-707-8870 ext 2021 or via e-mail at aelawler@dullesgreenway.com.
     
    Mr. Linux, Dec 16, 2008
    #23
  4. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    the potential for fraud is MINDBOGGLING. an additional .60 a car if they start the higher tolls at 3:55pm instead of 4pm... we don't gt itemized statements from EZpass, or timestamped receipts- there will be some serious money made.
     
    redon1, Dec 17, 2008
    #24
  5. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    Good point! But knowing the Greedway folks, they will charge us for the privilege of getting itemized information that they already have and is as easy to produce as simply pulling it from a database. Then, in 2 years, they will ask for another fare increase to 'offset' the costs involved in providing us that information.

    And the cycle will continue. Our only salvation is for the State to take over the road, something that will never happen in our lifetime if you ask me...
     
    Mr. Linux, Dec 17, 2008
    #25
  6. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    yeah- like i'd trust an itemized list THEY provide... NOT! I think I will invent an in-car toll counter... you push a button when you pass through a toll booth and it records the date and time! then you can print out your usage on your computer.

    hmmm- I am ONTO something here...
     
    redon1, Dec 17, 2008
    #26
  7. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    Better idea; use your cellphone to call your desk at work. When your VM picks up, the call will be registered and will show up on your telephone bill's itemized statement.

    Problem solved ;-)
     
    Mr. Linux, Dec 17, 2008
    #27
  8. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    thank you for crushing my dream... :sadcry:
     
    redon1, Dec 17, 2008
    #28
  9. gunzour

    gunzour "Living on the Edge"

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    You can view an itemized list of tolls on the EZPass website: http://www.ezpassva.com
     
    gunzour, Dec 17, 2008
    #29
  10. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    Right, but what Redon was saying was what if the tollbooth clocks were set a few minutes early in the mornings and a few minutes later evenings (that's how they could make a bit more 'money'). If you look at the list on the EZPass website, you're getting 'their' clock, not necessarily 'reality'. I'm sure it would be a stretch, but it would be a fun experiment none the less...
     
    Mr. Linux, Dec 17, 2008
    #30
  11. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    Better yet - just don't use the Greedway! We don't.
     
    tyger31, Dec 18, 2008
    #31
  12. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    Let's run some numbers.

    Considering only those lanes that are solely EZ-pass as they would have the fastest throughput, how many cars can one lane handle in one minute during peak periods?

    I think that 50 cars per minute is reasonable as people seen to blow through them at 60+mph.

    The main toll plaza, I believe has four dedicated EZ-pass lanes so that makes 200 cars per minute for all four lanes during the peak traffic times.

    The difference between rush hour and non-rush hour fees is $0.60 ($4.00- 3.40).

    If the toll plaza “accidently” has their clocks off by only one minute in the morning that will increase their take by $120.00. Have the same “accident” with the clocks in the evening and their take is an extra $240.00 per work day just for that one toll plaza and not counting any “accidental errors” in the mixed lanes.

    Chump change. Hardly worth the effort right?

    Given 200 working days per year, just a one minute “mistake” can give these guys an extra $48,000 per year for doing nothing but being “careless” in setting the clock. How could the consumer “prove” anything wrong and if they do a one minute “accidental error” could hardly be considered intend to defraud.

    What company would not want an extra $48,000 per year from an almost impossible to prosecute scam?

    Imagine a simple five minute “oops”. How many people’s watches are off by just 5 minutes. A favourable five minute “mistake” by the toll company will grant them an extra $240,000 per year just from that one toll plaza just from those four lanes.

    A temptation? .

    Even if my original estimate is only 25 cars per minute per lane. That still give them an extra $24,000 per year for a one minute “accident” or $120,000 for a measly five minute “oops”.

    All for just being a little clumsy in setting the clock :nono:

    “So go ahead Mr. or Ms. Customer, try to prove that we are bilking you? Even if you do, here is a refund of your $0.60 now go away. I guess today we will only get $119.4 profit for the morning or evening.”

    Perhaps one of the local news stations would be interested in doing a story on this possibility.

    Things that make you go hmmmm
     
    Ozgood, Dec 18, 2008
    #32
  13. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    OZ you proved EXACTLY the point i am not talented enough to calculate!!! I wanna own EZPASS!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    redon1, Dec 18, 2008
    #33
  14. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    The best scams are the ones that make a very small amount of money but do it many many times.

    This is, of course only a hypothetical discussion. I am sure that the honourable business owners of the Greenway would never be involved in such an activity. That would be wrong.

    And Redon1, I don't want to own EZ-pass, they are only a conduit. I want to own the Greenway -- the reciever of the money :)
     
    Ozgood, Dec 18, 2008
    #34
  15. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    I'll stick with EZ Pass- they get a cut and are looked at as good guys who create convenience on the evil Greedway.
     
    redon1, Dec 18, 2008
    #35
  16. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    And that 5 minute 'mistake' would probably pay the yearly salary for all the tollbooth operators. Interesting thought...
     
    Mr. Linux, Dec 18, 2008
    #36
  17. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    One problem with the clock analogy if all they do is move the clock forward a tad...

    Moving the clocks FORWARD also means moving the end-time forward. Unless they change the clocks during the peak period as well :)

    But a sly person would say that deciding if starting the time earlier or later is simply a function of which time is more busy :) While you may lose some toll at one side.. if the other side is more busy.. it still makes sense.

    But all they need to do is do what most businesses do today. Screw the customer just a small bit.. say less then 10%... and just deal with those that complain. The 95% who don't.. pay your extra 10% and you make out like a bandit.
     
    flynnibus, Dec 18, 2008
    #37
  18. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    Kind of like that movie with Eddie Murphy where he worked at a bank and had all the "fraction of a cents" put into one account. Before he knw it, there was a big chunk of money i it!
     
    vacliff, Dec 18, 2008
    #38
  19. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    I think you may be thinking of Richard Pryor in Superman III
     
    T8erman, Dec 18, 2008
    #39
  20. Pats_fan

    Pats_fan Former Resident

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    Re: Loudoun Extra:Local - In Brief: Greenway Base Toll to Rise by 40 Cents, Rush Hour

    Actually, I was thinking it was Office Space.
     
    Pats_fan, Dec 19, 2008
    #40
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