The End Of The Tollbooth?

The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey is thinking of getting rid of manned tollbooths once and for all. The result would be a system where an E-ZPass is a must in order to use the bridges and tunnels of the tri-state area that have tolls. Most drivers that come into the city have E-ZPass already, roughly 75 to 80 percent of all in-bound traffic, so is it really a big deal to get rid of the old system?

The pros of the change are vast. It reduces idling time at the entrances of the bridges and tunnels so that is good for the environment. Traffic flow would increase, as the E-ZPass accomodates 1400 cars and regular tollbooths only take up to 400 cars an hour. Basically it would help NYC to move faster and more efficiently.

The downturns would be to those that are visiting the area and do not have nor know what an E-ZPass is. Coming from Los Angeles, it is rare to see a toll on the maze of freeways except down in Orange County. It would also hurt those that can only do cash and rely on the tollbooth. The 185 unionized workers that man the booths would also be fazed out.

For the vast majority of people, this works out great. Long waits to get into the Lincoln, Holland and Midtown tunnels are horrendous and frustrating to be a part of. When you need to rush to the airport, you really feel it (which is why I take the train now, not to mention way less expensive). The reduced pollution from idling cars is also very nice. So while a few will be inconvenienced by the change, I think that the new system would benefit New York, as long as the minority that rely on the the booths be accommodated somehow.