Why can’t we go back to to coin buckets on toll roads?

Submitted by [deleted] t3_yy7caw in Maine

I’m in Maine and sometimes travel to NH and Massachusetts. Sometimes when I go to pay the cash toll the workers in NH aren’t there and a sign saying “we will bill you so pass through”. Why should I have to do all this extra work cause you don’t have workers and instead bring back the coin buckets. I’ve gotten letters in the mail forgetting to pay tolls because the state didn’t have the workers so I get stuck with a late fee etc. Most say to get an EZ pass but still. I think it’s a money grab from some states knowing that people won’t pay it and get hit with fees etc. Thoughts?

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Way2L8AND1 t1_iwsnzmb wrote

Because $4 in quarters is a bit much. Worked well when tolls were 50 cents. EZ pass .. simple, offers discounts... Problem solved.

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[deleted] OP t1_iwsoh5j wrote

It’s almost like forcing people to buy ez passes. They should just have a bill collector at the booths then if they can’t find workers to work.

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Jericson112 t1_iwspagw wrote

An EZ pass costs $10 for your car. That is a 1 time payment. As someone that uses toll roads daily I saved that cost in a single month from traveling. And I don't need to try and find cash and coins lying around (don't carry cash at all).

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membaberry18 t1_iwsrdfh wrote

Because why should my taxes pay for a position that isn’t necessary?

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[deleted] OP t1_iwsrihs wrote

A bill collector machine not a person

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FITM-K t1_iwtaai0 wrote

They do have a bill collector machine. It's called EZ Pass.

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meowmix778 t1_iwv46ea wrote

You understand the coins would need to get sorted and verified and then brought to a bank while the deposit is prepared. There isn't a magic pipe from the machine to the bank.

The ez pass speeds up traffic, it's more accurate, it's safer and more convenient. Sincerely I have no idea what your hold up is or no sympathy to your arguments. It's not some big government ploy to steal your information. It's just a tool to travel faster and easier.

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IamSauerKraut t1_iwtbhnr wrote

Someone has to gather those coins. And do with them whatever is done with them. Also, watch video, have a statie there, etc.

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sheeponabowl t1_iwt808m wrote

Fucking cry baby. Holy shit. Somebody should be there. Period. Forcing people to use automated is bullshit. It’s not necessary. Deal with it.

Our taxes are supposed to pay for our roads, they sure aren’t ever fixed. Stop using the “but my taxes” excuse. It’s absolute bullshit at this point because they’re just pocketing our taxes and you KNOW it.

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FITM-K t1_iwta8tm wrote

What's unnecessary is forcing someone to stand in a shity toll booth 24 hours a day to do a job that can be done by a $10 piece of plastic.

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membaberry18 t1_iwtd9kv wrote

It’s 2022. Get an ez pass

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cepheus42 t1_iwu1w3i wrote

It's 2022, people don't even need an ez pass now. They just tag your plate and send you the bill later. Which is perfect for folks who rarely drive through toll roads like me.

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macrogrowery_101 t1_iwspi4c wrote

They can find workers. And you can take alternate routes.ez pass is not really that much work. Do you have a working budget? If not i recommend it.

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[deleted] OP t1_iwsqo19 wrote

I travel those states twice a month and rarely ever do highway driving. It’s just a pain knowing I have the money to pay at the time but then have to call the state, pay by phone. Just unnecessary really imo. At least have an automated bill machine if you can’t find workers

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800grandave t1_iwuq7bq wrote

“but still” isnt a point. also, “ seems like a money grab” it is. there are taxes and fees to living.

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esspants t1_iwsoth1 wrote

Those buckets were always jamming, probably on account of folks chucking miscellany with their change. Don't miss em, and am very happy not having to slow down and paying 30% as much for the privilege.

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Evening_Pension5388 t1_iwttzrk wrote

This is the most Maine post I’ve ever seen. Complaining about something that makes life easier.

Tech bad. Maine should perpetually live in 1992. Booo technology.

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iammabdaddy t1_iwsoryn wrote

I dont like it either but its time to jump into the 2020's and beyond. And get the EZ pass.

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IamSauerKraut t1_iwtbqbi wrote

It's a pain only when the credit card expires or gets cancelled cuz someone hacked it.

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CampingJosh t1_iwsp0ko wrote

Workers are expensive. If you want workers there 24/7, the tolls probably need to double.

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Rippofunk t1_iwsq8iq wrote

But oddly, as the toll road work force has decreased, the cost of tolls continues to rise.....hmmm.....

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Super-Lychee8852 t1_iwt0zk7 wrote

In Maine the toll work force is fine. I have family in the tolls, they only raised the york toll price to try and recoup the millions lost during covid.

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ptmtp26 t1_iwug18c wrote

The Turnpike is a public ally funded private enterprise in bed with the state government.

−1

raynedanser t1_iwvgw6a wrote

You're one of those "back in my day" people, aren't you?

Times change, society changes, technology changes, necessity changes. For the vast majority of people, this is the simpler solution. Choices are easy - get with it and get an EZ-Pass or dig your heels in and bitch and moan.

Just get the EZ Pass.

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corbin-bernsen t1_iwsp540 wrote

I loved the bucket back in the day because there was always change on the ground around then. If you didn’t mind getting honked at you could just open the door and scrounge the toll. That’s when it was 35 cents mind you.

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DifferenceMore5431 t1_iwssb2y wrote

I don't think anybody is making any money on the one-time transponder charge of $10 or whatever. Plus in some situations you get a discount on the toll so it will likely pay for itself. Just get an EZ pass if you ever go through tolls.

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[deleted] OP t1_iwsuf8n wrote

No I’m talking about money being made of the transducers. I’m talking about money being made by not having enough toll booth workers (cash booths) in parts of NH where said person forgets about paying their toll and gets hit with late fees due to the cash booth not having a worker.

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Super-Lychee8852 t1_iwt14ji wrote

My understanding is NH got rid of their overnight shifts because they didn't bring in enough money to make it worth paying someone to be there

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IamSauerKraut t1_iwtbuii wrote

You dont get hit with a late fee for not paying tolls on time. Either get the EZ-Pass or pay the frickin thing on time.

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[deleted] OP t1_iwtc9az wrote

The EZ-pass website is archaic. You have to put it what time you went through and date and which toll booth. Can’t believe I just can’t put in my plate number and get the amount. Maine is backwards when it comes to some things and the website is one of them.

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Super-Lychee8852 t1_iwughgk wrote

Someone has to go through the photos of the plates and input them to the system. That's not going to instantly happen and be available online

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raynedanser t1_iwvh5b8 wrote

>in parts of NH where said person forgets about paying their toll and gets hit with late fees

....... So isn't that the fault of the person with the fees? That's not NH's fault.

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New_Sun6390 t1_iwt66iw wrote

Why don't you just get an EZ-Pass? You get to drive right thru and there is often a discount.

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SadExtension524 t1_iwt9unr wrote

Most states don't have manned tolls whatsoever. They send you a bill. Get a transponder or take a back road.

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IamSauerKraut t1_iwtbatu wrote

Quitcherbitchin and get the EZ-Pass.

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LumpyBumpyToad t1_iwvc15g wrote

" because the state didn’t have the workers"

Its actually because the workers are taking a shit. (using the bathroom, grabbing their food out of the fridge) Now - if you REALLY want to double the manpower at all these toll sites so that the booth NEVER has to go unattended... I'm sure the MTA would be happy to hike tolls charges by whatever massive amount it would take? This is the situation in Maine at least.

I'm sorry you have to take an extra step. I just asked about why they put the signs up instead of calling people lazy and understaffed. Turns out to be kinda sensical and it sucks you go through the booths sometimes when they're indisposed.

Maybe drop off a litter tray and solve your problems?

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SnooChickens9571 t1_iwuejuq wrote

Why can’t we just go back to rotary phones?

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daisakai42 t1_iwujx0m wrote

And bring back switchboard operators! We are paying for phone bills, there has to be enough to pay their salaries!

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DidDunMegasploded t1_iwujgyc wrote

What coin buckets? I only know EZPass.

We rarely travel on the highway, and we still got one. Saves us money. Good for frequent and infrequent travelers.

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meowmix778 t1_iwv4kmt wrote

I can't say about maine but I can say about the south and parts of NH in the distant past. You'd buy highway tokens. These tokens would go into a machine that would open the gate once the token was deposited into a hopper.

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bigdummy53 t1_iwt3zfm wrote

I still have a roll of NH coin tokens in my console😂. “Gimme a roll and take out….”

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WinterCrunch t1_iwtbode wrote

The only thing I miss about coin buckets is doing hook shots out the passenger window (and getting enough money in before the car behind you honked angrily.)

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jaybirdjackit t1_ix9akq0 wrote

All the tolls in the country are going to ez pass so better get one or paid the fine

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ptmtp26 t1_iwufr4s wrote

Have we all forgotten those tolls were supposed to be removed when the pike was paid for? Now it’s just a money grabbing scheme and we all play right into their hands. We were sold a bill of goods that allowed a private corporation and the state of Maine to get into bed together that robs its citizens of their money.

−1

Super-Lychee8852 t1_iwugblk wrote

Good meme. Remove the tolls and the road and plowing quality will go to shit. Be garbage like 295

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ptmtp26 t1_iwugwyo wrote

295 is just fine once your outside of Portland.

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Super-Lychee8852 t1_iwuhmh7 wrote

It's not great the entire length. Then 95 north of the pike also isn't great compared to the pike itself. Pike is always in perfect shape. I don't travel the pike much these days now that I live up north but it's fine. It's completely optional too, don't want to pay? Take something else

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Born_in_Maine t1_iwsz3t6 wrote

I plan out my route beforehand to avoid all tolls I can. I refuse to get an EZpass.

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meowmix778 t1_iwv4sz9 wrote

Why? What benefit does this give you. It's an easy solution and it saves you money. It's not some government cabal that steals your information.

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Born_in_Maine t1_iwz7mjw wrote

I have no credit cards, no checking account, I do everything in cash and hate dealing in digital currency.

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