Gray Rohrer
Tolls would be cut in half for frequent drivers next year under a proposal revealed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday.
Under the plan, any driver with a SunPass or E-ZPass that hits 40 tolls in a month will have 50% of those costs refunded to them at the end of that month.
“If you are a bona fide commuter you’re getting a 50% discount in your tolls for the entire year, and that’s going to make a big difference,” DeSantis said at the Florida Department of Transportation’s Miami headquarters.
The proposal, which must be approved by the Legislature, likely at the next Regular Session which starts March 7, would benefit more than 750,000 Florida drivers with an average savings of $550 over the year, DeSantis said.
Juan Sosa, a police officer in Miami-Dade County, said he oversees the tolls paid by his elderly parents, including his father, who commutes to butcher shops in Hialeah, Miami Beach and Delray Beach, racking up $320 in tolls per month.
“It all adds up fast and it’s getting extremely unaffordable,” Sosa said.
The proposal comes on the heels of DeSantis’ move last month to discount tolls for commuters on Florida Turnpike roads. Starting Sept. 1, drivers with toll transponders hitting 40 or more tolls in a month will have 20% of their tolls rebated at the end of the month, and those hitting 80 tolls in a month will get a 25% refund. DeSantis said last month the program will save about 400,000 drivers $40 million. That program is slated to last six months.
Because the state doesn’t control tolls on the Central Florida Expressway Authority or the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, DeSantis’ program doesn’t apply to those tolls. So now, he’s pushing for legislative approval for a larger cut to the tolls.
The discount will help residents cope with inflation, which is at 40-year highs and has shot prices up on gas and groceries since the start of the year.
DeSantis said the state would use its $20 billion surplus to cover the gap in revenue from the cut in tolls, and bonds and debts the state and its expressway authorities have will still be paid.
“There’s not going to be any non-payment on any of those obligations,” DeSantis said.
6 comments
I am what I am
September 7, 2022 at 3:41 pm
That guy can take his wall to wall jamed up each other ass traffic with I have a house tourist will pay.
Wade Mullins
September 8, 2022 at 7:17 am
Does this apply to Commercial Toll users, as well?
Tjb
September 9, 2022 at 11:37 am
This legislation is not fair to folks who dont drive on toll roads. As a hard working patroit, why is our state government considering a bill that is essentially a freebie for those driving on toll roads? This legislation looks like a socialist program. What is next, student loan forgiveness? Free community college? Medicare for all? More benefits for veterans?
If a bill helps others but not me, it is bad legislation. MAGA.
Tjb
September 9, 2022 at 12:38 pm
.
This legislation is not fair to folks who dont drive on toll roads. As a hard working patroit, why is our state government considering a bill that is essentially a freebie for those driving on toll roads? This legislation looks like a socialist program. What is next, student loan forgiveness? Free community college? Medicare for all? More benefits for veterans?
If a bill helps others but not me, it is bad legislation. MAGA
Tjb
September 9, 2022 at 12:57 pm
This legislation is not fair to folks who dont drive on toll roads. As a hard working patroit, why is our state government considering a bill that is essentially a freebie for those driving on toll roads? This legislation looks like a socialist program. What is next, student loan forgiveness? Free community college? Medicare for all? More benefits for veterans?
If a bill helps others but not me, it is bad legislation. MAGA
Tjb
September 9, 2022 at 1:08 pm
This legislation is unfair to folks who dont drive on toll roads. As a hard working patroit, why is our state government considering a bill that is essentially a freebie for those driving on toll roads? This legislation looks like a socialist program. What is next, student loan forgiveness? Free community college? Medicare for all? More benefits for veterans?
If a bill helps others but not me, it is bad legislation. MAGA
Comments are closed.