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There are some folks on here who are going to be upset that the toll road is "successful."
Some folks here (me) are still upset the whole thing is either tolled or not tolled. I have never driven on the part that is tolled. I have friends in North Raleigh, so if that portion were tolled, I would be paying instead of driving for free.
While I am far from being a "fan" of toll roads, I do use them when I feel there is some value. Usually, that means determining if the time I save is more valuable to me than the cost of the toll or tolls. Back in the 90s I had a friend who was of the opinion that any toll road was bad and he would avoid them whenever possible. He chose to spend an extra 45 minutes (each way) commuting to work to save a couple of dollars in toll (each way). I am sure that there are people who can't afford $20 or so a week for tolls and so that approach would make sense. He wasn't one of those - he just felt the cost wasn't worth the time saved. I respect his opinion however I had the opposite opinion...I gained that time to spend with my kids and it was well worth the $20 to me...
While I am far from being a "fan" of toll roads, I do use them when I feel there is some value. Usually, that means determining if the time I save is more valuable to me than the cost of the toll or tolls. Back in the 90s I had a friend who was of the opinion that any toll road was bad and he would avoid them whenever possible. He chose to spend an extra 45 minutes (each way) commuting to work to save a couple of dollars in toll (each way). I am sure that there are people who can't afford $20 or so a week for tolls and so that approach would make sense. He wasn't one of those - he just felt the cost wasn't worth the time saved. I respect his opinion however I had the opposite opinion...I gained that time to spend with my kids and it was well worth the $20 to me...
I agree with this, and would add that with the extra 45 minutes comes extra fuel consumption (more miles usually, and of course sitting burns fuel too). So some of that $20 is a non-factor. That 45 minutes a day may have only cost $10-15 per week. (Less cost and savings now that fuel prices are lower).
I'm fine with tolls. However, I just think the 540 tolls are just too high. We just don't usually have the traffic to justify such a premium price. Perhaps if it were half the cost things would be a lot different.
I'm fine with tolls. However, I just think the 540 tolls are just too high. We just don't usually have the traffic to justify such a premium price. Perhaps if it were half the cost things would be a lot different.
That's a really good point. I wonder if they would have had a 5% DECREASE instead of increase, and if they publicized it widely, if overall revenue might have increased more through higher usage?
I don't know the methodology, but they performed a price sensitivity analysis in that revenue projection study I linked earlier in the thread. The aim was indeed to come in right around peak revenue.
I imagine that there is a point where a combination of a high toll maximizes revenue while minimizing usage. From just that perspective, it's probably in the best interest of the already completed section that they do just that. Get enough revenue to pay for the debt while keeping usage low enough that they do not have congestion or need to think about widening the route.
I would have been nice if their goal wasn't peak revenue, but instead sustaining enough revenue to pay for it while maximizing the usefulness of the road.
I wonder if lower tolls would have resulted in higher usage coupled with happier drivers. If so, perhaps that would help increase the argument for more toll roads - such as completing 540. As it is now, I'm not at all excited about future projects being tolled.
Part of the reason it seems like it is empty is because it is way under capacity. They built all three lanes and have long lane drops, even though they only needed 2 by the traffic projections. It is built with the assumption that way more cars will be on it when the next section is open and to allow for growth in the Holly Springs/Apex area. For once, the DOT thought ahead!
I imagine that there is a point where a combination of a high toll maximizes revenue while minimizing usage. From just that perspective, it's probably in the best interest of the already completed section that they do just that. Get enough revenue to pay for the debt while keeping usage low enough that they do not have congestion or need to think about widening the route.
It's also nice to hear that the DOT thought ahead and overbuilt the road. Kudos to them.
Maybe it was optimistic on my part that we'd get a great road, built for the future, with moderate tolls.
I know this has been discussed in other places, but I'd even be happy for some sort of tolling based on the time of day. Something like full price at rush hour, 75% during the day, 50% on weekends. I really only drive it when I do out of a sense of civic responsibility. If it cost less, I'd use it more.
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