Austin Tollway Use: BOTTOM FALLS OUT.

Did the Statesman Bury the Story?

Yesterday, there was a tiny article on B2 in the Austin American Statesman titled, “Tollway Use Falls”. The article was so small, it didn’t make the Statesman’s online edition. The Statesman has failed to print any opposing view since the tolls went live, and very little, if any negative toll press for months, some would say ever. On the flip side, they have given free advertising for TxTAG in many of its recent articles, shown maps, phone numbers and more. Here are the actual numbers of Phase I tollway use found in the tiny article:

“Saturday there were 78,909 toll transactions, that is, times when cars passed a ramp or main-lane toll plaza. On Dec. 16, the last Saturday before the holidays, there were 163,950 transactions.

Sundays 63,977 transactions compare to 129,531 on Dec. 17.

Monday, there were 123,481 transactions. On Dec. 18, the tally was 203,664."

This is a substantial DROP: It equates to only 48 - 60% of the usage from one month ago. That's not big news?

And, drivers with TxTAGs still drive free this month. Imagine what happens when they get the costly bills, a percentage of them will also stop using the Phase I tolls. And what about the drivers who get the “Bill in the Mail” from the Tollers?

And, some question the acuracy of some Statesman articles. January 6th AAS article states:

"...be prepared to pay an average of about 12 cents a mile."

But the fact is, some segments open today can cost drivers as much as 50 cents a mile. That’s a 416% increase from what the Statesman reported.

It’s no secret that Statesman Editors have friends who are involved in the toll road profits. CTRMA’s Mike Heiligenstein and Editor Richard Oppel have close ties, enough to delete my Statesman blog last year. Is the Statesman, who endorsed Phase II tolls in 2004, covering for toller pals and the toll roads?

Why hasn't the Statesman reported the $67.2 Million bond dollars, promised for free roads, that were diverted into Phase I toll roads? I gave the Statesman the City Documents.

Eye on Wilco has an opinion on this very issue.

What do you think?

I know of many who have submitted letters, slamming the tolls, over the past months, and they have not been printed. Including my own. Try for yourself, write a letter to the editor, 150 words or less, include your name address and phone: letters@statesman.com

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