Bridge Toll Increase
results in flurry of year-end sales

If you're using the cash toll lane at the Hood River Interstate Bridge, you are in the minority. BreezeBy and ticket tolls now significantly exceed cash receipts. And despite no longer getting change back from your dollar, it appears the public had little objection to the toll increases that took effect January 1.

When the Port announced the rise in bridge toll, the agency braced for a flurry of complaints, and received only 10. Instead, a flurry of toll purchase activity occured in December. The Port announced to bridge users the option to prepay in 2011 for 2012 bridge use, by buying bridge tickets or making deposits to electronic tolling accounts before year's end. The incentive meant tickets purchased at the 63¢ rate would be worth 75¢ after the increase. Also, the Port added 33% value to all BreezeBy account balances at midnight on December 31, to maintain bridge crossing value.

According to Port Finance Manager Linda Shames, ticket sales in December were more than twice the amount expected in a normal month - over $50,000 compared to the normal $20,000. BreezeBy account increases amounted to $68,569 in bonus tolls for the new year.

In addition, December and January saw higher than normal new BreezeBy accounts, since the new toll for BreezeBy patrons is 75¢, a 25% discount from cash tolls.

Although the cash toll increase is a higher amount than electronic tolling or tickets, there is a decreasing percentage of cash tolls received, which will have an impact on bridge revenues. January 2011 toll revenue was 42% cash, 43% BreezeBy and 15% tickets. January 2012 reported 35% cash, 49% BreezeBy, and 16% tickets.