Here’s what ODOT has in mind for low-income commuters once tolling starts
“For the past several weeks, we’ve done some reporting on the Oregon Department of Transportation’s plan to introduce tolling on I-5 and I-205 in the Portland metro area. As a result, we’ve gotten repeated questions about how low-income commuters are supposed to be able to afford the extra financial hit. When tolling begins, commuters will get a free transponder from ODOT. It’s a simple electronic device that sits in your vehicle and notifies the tolling system when you pass under its cameras. The precise amount of the tolls is still under consideration, but ODOT’s working estimate is a maximum of $2.20 on the Abernethy Bridge during peak hours, and a similar amount on the Tualatin Bridge. It will be lower during other times of day and lowest overnight. But the cost brings up the issue of equity. It’s quite a bit easier for someone making $250,000 a year to pay the tolls than someone making $30,000.”