proposed toll increase on the Greenway

Have any of you guys seen this article on today's Washington Post.
Here is the link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35246-2003Jul9.html?nav=hptoc_m

Its bad enough that we have to pay the toll for the whole stretch of the toll road even if only use the route 28 to ashburn portion and now they're planning to increase it to $3 dollars. I think its only fair that we pay for the portion of the toll road we use, because if you think about it we are subsidizing the greenway users who travel to and from leesburg to route 28, and leave our fare of $2.25 ($2.15 w/ Smart tag) as it is.

 

Perhaps if they lowered the toll, more people would use the Greenway -- thus, increasing revenue. Unless I'm in a big hurry, I don't use the Greenway. I take 28 to Waxpool to Claiborne.

 

They would have to install toll collector booths at all on/off ramps if they were to "pro-rate" for the amount of Greenway traveled. Kinda like the NJ turnpike.

 

I contacted them about prorating the toll road and mentioned that a lot more people, including myself, would use it more if the cost was based on miles driven. I was told that this was not considered because they did not think there was any demand for prorated charges.

Now is the time to protest the rate increase AND ask for reconsideration of prorated tolls. With the amount of money they charge, they can afford to put toll takers at all the stops!
Cliff

 

The reason stated for the increase is the investers haven't gotten a return on their money yet. Hard to believe with the amount of cars that travel it each day and the toll charged. Maybe they should sell to the state so the toll will decrease. I emailed a note to Rick Froehlich, chief financial officer of the company. Of course, I haven't heard anything back.

 

Well since it's a private road the company can do whatever they want. I as a consumer will determine if I think the price is a good one for the service. I hope they understand that raising the toll will only alienate drivers and won't help bring new customers. It's not like a bridge over a river, there are ways to get around the greenway like rt 28/7. Now if they want to bring new customers, what they need to do is cause major traffic nightmares on 28, 7, and other major roads. I mean 20x worse than it is today. Then you will have drivers willing to pay $10 to use it.

What I don't understand about the Greenway is how the state police can patrol that road. I thought traffic law does not apply to private roads which the Greenway falls under. I understand it's like running thru a stop sign in a shopping center parking lot. I believe a police officer can not give you a ticket because it's on private property. Anyone know?

-Teak

 

I emailed Daniel Sullivan, Marketing & Public Relations Manager of the Greenway. He directed me to this link, which explains the increase.

http://dullesgreenway.com/cgi-bin/dgpress41.cfm?home=#home

 

Has anyone seen a meeting posted with the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors? If Scott York feels $3 is absurd, I would imagine it will have a difficult time getting approved, but enough people need to speak out against it at the county and state level.

As far as a fee, Virginia gets $.35 per vehicle, so I imagine that covers their expenses for the state police and road assistance crews to monitor this highway, and provide a nice revenue stream for the state.

Although its a private road I would imagine that in the name of "public safety" state police are authorized to monitor traffic for speeders, etc. and these conditions were setup in the contract.

 

If you would like to send your comments to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (the body deciding if the increase will be allowed), there is an online link at http://www.state.va.us/scc/caseinfo/notice.htm. The Comment deadline is August 11, 2003.

--Joy

 

I provided my comments via the link Joy provided. Here's a copy of what I sent.
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I do not support any increase in the toll.

The Greenway was a business investment opportunity. The fact that it has not turned a profit should not be an issue, nor a reason to apply for a toll increase. It was an investment opportunity, not a guaranteed money-maker, and as with all investments there was and is an ongoing business risk.

Any planned toll increases should follow a natural timeline progression estimated over the next 5,10, 15, etc. years as the maintenance costs, cost of living, inflation, etc. increase. Toll rate increases should not be a result of the private company's desire to make a profit.

Toll Roads Investors should not be allowed to apply for toll increases as they see fit, it should follow a pre-determined schedule that are fair and inline with other toll roads within Virginia. (3-10% increase every 5 years)

A toll increase will have the following negative effects:
1.) Discourage more drivers from using the Greenway. The Greenway is already under-utilized because of the toll. Increasing the toll will discourage more commuters from using the Greenway, and the usage of the Greenway could actually decline when compared to the growth Loudoun county is experiencing.

2.) Increasing the toll on the Greenway will increase the traffic volumes on Rt. 7, Rt. 28, Waxpool Road, and many other residential roads. Commuters will use these secondary roads which are already congested and make traffic/commuting matters worse.

3.) Toll Roads have a negative impact on communities. Increasing the toll road to such a high amount will discourage future residential and commercial growth within Loudoun County. If Loudoun County does not have a sustainable transportation system of highways, roads, and secondary roads, it will discourage future growth. The Greenway should be the number one priority for planning the future needs of Loudoun County’s transportation infrastructure.

If Toll Road Investors Partnership II want to increase toll revenues and ultimately their profit, they need to consider a reduction in the toll to encourage more commuters to use the road thereby increasing their revenue. Additionally, they should have a valid business plan for any such proposals and should look at various alternative solutions. A toll increase is just one of many options available to increase their profit margins. Toll Road Investors Partnerhip II should undergo an audit to review all of their associated costs with operating the Greenway prior to any proposed toll increase.

The Greenway currently has no prorated toll charges based upon the number of miles used on the road. Commuters from Leesburg pay the same amount of money as commuters from Ashburn and Brambleton. This is not a fair business practice. Tolls should be based upon miles used, not a flat rate.

Ultimately, the Greenway may need to be under the state of Virginia's control and bought back from Toll Road Investors Partnership II. Private Toll Roads have no place in Virginia if they can not be properly planned, budgeted and managed – and the residents of Loudoun county should not be expected to pay overpriced toll fees to a company that is providing a public service – these toll costs and increases must be regulated.

 

I could not have said it any better DougG. I will plagarize your email and send it to the state again with the hopes that they get the message. "NO TOLL INCREASE" We should get lawn signs or bumper stickers to show our opposition. Metrorail knows that raising fares is a could lead to a reduction in riders. Thats why they waited so long before their recent increase. I too looked in vain through the Loudoun County website in search of a Transportation Plan map like the one you can get easily from Fairfax Countys website.

I bet the investors share a private joke on naming the Loudoun County Toll Road the "Greenway". Green as in money in their pockets, ha, ha Have you noticed that some of the Green road signs are actually just advertisement. I bet the investors earn income from those signs. I wouldn't mind seeing a few billboards if it reduced the toll. I'm not an advertising expert but consider the buying power of the eyes who would see ads along the "Greenway". The investors should not try to kid themselves into thinking that people want to pay to take the "Scenic" "Greenway".

 

I recieved this email today:


Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 09:22:30 -0400
From: "Scott York" <SYORK@loudoun.gov>
To: "Scott York" <SYORK@loudoun.gov>
Subject: Opposing Toll Increase on Dulles Greenway

Knowing of your concern regarding the proposal by the owners of the Dulles Greenway to raise the toll, I thought you would be interested in my resolution that will be considered by the Loudoun Board of Supervisors at our meeting on Monday, July 21.

The resolution expresses the Board's opposition to the toll increase and requests the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to hold a public hearing in Loudoun County to hear from residents.

The text of the resolution is as follows:

WHEREAS, Toll Road Investors Partnership II, L.P., owners of the Dulles Greenway, has petitioned the State Corporation Commission under case number PUE-2003-00230 for permission to raise the cap on the toll rate structure from $2 to $3 per trip for cars, and to $6 for vehicles with three or more axles; and,

WHEREAS, non "Smart Tag" users of the Dulles Greenway have been subject to three toll increases since 1999 with the most recent toll increase in September 2002; and,

WHEREAS, "Smart Tag" users have been subject to a toll increase and reduction in the discount for "Smart Tag" use during this same time period; and,

WHEREAS, in documents filed with the State Corporation Commission the applicant has indicated that there has been a reduction in ridership on the Greenway when such toll increases occur; and,

WHEREAS, the diversion of such traffic to other roadways due to the toll increase adds further stress to Loudoun's roadways; and,

WHEREAS, the residents and business owners of Loudoun County would be adversely impacted by the toll increase as proposed by the owners of the Greenway,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors expresses its opposition to the increase in the proposed cap on the toll structure by Toll Road Investors Partnership II; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors requests the State Corporation Commission to hold a public hearing in Loudoun County to hear from the residents of our County and further urges the Commission to reject the proposed increase in the cap on the toll structure.

Please feel free to share this resolution with family, friends and co-workers and have them contact the SCC at http://www.state.va.us/scc/caseinfo/notice.htm to express their opposition to the toll increase proposal. Just scroll down the page to the toll increase case as click on the Submit Comments button. All the rest is self-explanatory.

Scott K. York
Board Chairman

 

Link to Dulles Greenway project information: http://www.innovativefinance.org/projects/highways/dulles.asp
Just FYI.

 

Another update emailed into me:

I am pleased to inform you that the Board of Supervisors by a vote of 6-3 passed my resolution in opposition to the proposed increase in the toll cap on the Dulles Greenway to $3.

To help build citizen involvement in this issue I have established a web site www.notollincrease.org to assist residents in conveying their opinions to the SCC. I urge you to share this web address with your family, friends, neighbors and work colleagues. The more voices that are heard the better!

Scott K. York
Board Chairman


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Speaking of the New Jersey Turnpike, I did a little calculation... If these guys who run the Greenway get their $3.00 for me to go 5 miles one way to the toll booth also ran the NJT, they would collect $67.80 from me to go the length of the NJ turnpike (113 miles). What does the transit authority in NJ actually charge to go the length of the turnpike? Exactly $6.45!!

 

I can't believe there were actually 3 people in the Loundoun County's Board of Supervisors who were in favor of the toll increase. What are the names of these individuals? Are these electoral positions, if so lets make sure they don't get reelected!

 

So I read in the paper today that the toll on the Dulles Toll Road is going to increase by $.25. BUT, they are going to use that money to build Metro out from West Falls Church to Wiehle Ave in Reston. Why does that feel so much better than lining some investors pockets?


--Joy

 

Since someone asked...The 3 members of the Loudoun Board who voted to allow the increase were:
Jim Burton (I-Mercer)
Bill Bogard (I - Sugarland Run)
Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling)

Am I wrong in noting that the Greenway doesn't run through any of their districts? Isn't that convienent, it won't be their constituents getting hammered by the tolls or traffic avoiding tolls.

 

This just came in from Scott York:

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Another update from Scott York:

You can download the Excel spreadhseet here:
http://hoa.broadlands.org/hoa/issues/tollroad/GreenwaySignupSheet.xls


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