Ohio Commission Approves Hearings on Higher Tolls

he Ohio Turnpike Commission has authorized public hearings on rate hikes for most vehicles, including trucks, that use the 241-mile toll road, the Associated Press reported.

The commission put itself on the road toward higher rates, authorizing a series of public hearings on a plan that would raise the price of a car trip across the entire road from $8.95 to $10.25.

The changes are needed because truck fares will return to higher 2004 rates if the commission does nothing, turnpike commissioners said, AP reported.

Taft spokesman Mark Rickel said the governor has told turnpike officials he is adamantly opposed to the increase. Rickel said Taft wants them to look at internal cost-cutting measures first.

In January 2005, the turnpike began a program trying to attract trucks away from secondary roads with a temporarily discounted rate.

In February, the commission voted to extend the lower toll rates for trucks through the end of this year.

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