HOT Lanes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H… is an expansion of the HOV lane concept. For vehicles traveling on I-93 from the North or South that use the current HOV or “Zipper” lane, there’d be a requirement for a Fastlane transponder which would automatically–no toll booths!!– collect a toll for vehicles using the limited access HOV lanes. Zipper lane use would be expanded to all vehicles (not just multi-passenger vehicles) that have transponders and people could opt not to use the lanes if they don’t want to pay the toll. It wouldn’t solve the toll inequity problem of the MassPike, but it would go a long way to having I-93 users start to pay for their share of the Big Dig. HOT Lanes have been derided as “Lexus Lanes” in other states, because rich folks tend to drive in them, but it still reduces congestion and pollution and raises revenue. It won’t raise as much revenue as cold beer on the commuter rail, but it’s a good start, no?
I am all for the SUV class paying more of its unpaid fair share.
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p>Oh – and Amicus – welcome back.
Relatively few cars travel in the Southbound HOV lane as it is, and a State Police car has to patrol it to keep the cars with one occupant out of it. Making it a toll lane is a good way to reduce its use even more. Counterproductive. Raise the gas tax, instead.
And all the overhead.
Or the authority that maintains it?