A MUCH-NEEDED discount on highway tolls has been introduced to help drivers still feeling the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.
Drivers can celebrate lower prices on stretches of highway in North Carolina, but it could mean longer commutes during rush hour.
Drivers can enjoy lower toll prices on stretches of highway in North Carolina[/caption]
On Friday, transportation service group I-77 Mobility Partners announced that dynamic pricing for toll lanes running from Charlotte to Mooresville will no longer be enforced.
Dynamic pricing in a demand-based model that charges higher prices during busier times of the day to cut down on traffic.
Typically, some drivers will find alternate routes during the cost surge, clearing some of the lanes.
However, Helene has left some alternate highways, including Interstates 40 and 25, with significant damage.
In the announcement, the company said it paused the surged costs to “help mitigate the financial impacts on drivers – especially those assisting with critical relief efforts.”
With at least 231 killed in its path, Helene has been declared the deadliest storm since Katrina blew through in 2005.
Western North Carolina was one of the worst areas hit by the Category 4 hurricane that tore through southeastern states like Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Survivors have been left homeless, searching for loved ones and trying to survive without power or cell service.
The toll relief is a small step toward rebuilding Appalachia but important for those trying to pick up the pieces.
Commuters who use I-77 can expect prices similar to what they saw before the storm.
The paused toll and redirected drivers could bring on a heavier traffic flow in the future.
However, officials say there hasn’t been a significant increase in busy roads since Helene blew through.
“Since the arrival of Hurricane Helene, the 26.4-mile I-77 Express corridor between Charlotte and Mooresville has not seen a heavy increase in traffic volume,” said Mobility Partners’ director of corporate affairs Rob Boisvert.
“The average increase between Saturday, September 28, and Thursday, October 3 was only 2%.”
Though dynamic pricing has been suspended, drivers should still expect to see prices shift throughout the day.
“Rates will change throughout the day based on predetermined rates that will be lower than pre-storm dynamic pricing,” the release states.
“However, by removing the traffic management provided by dynamic pricing, more drivers may choose to use the express lanes, which could result in slower than usual speeds.”
What is dynamic pricing?
Dynamic pricing is the practice of changing the price for a product or service to reflect changing market conditions.
This usually consists of increasing prices at a time of greater demand.
Some people refer to it as “surge pricing.”
You may have paid for surge pricing while using a rideshare app. Fares often increase during busy times when more people are looking for rides.
In February, Wendy’s CEO announced the restaurant would test out the practice.
“We said these menu boards would give us more flexibility to change the display of featured items,” an official statement on Wendy’s website reads.
“This was misconstrued in some media reports as an intent to raise prices when demand is highest at our restaurants.”
“We have no plans to do that and would not raise prices when our customers are visiting us most. Any features we may test in the future would be designed to benefit our customers and restaurant crew members,” they further denied any future of surge pricing.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have promised to contribute federal funding to restoration efforts in North Carolina.
Harris and Donald Trump have both stepped away from their presidential campaigns to visit victims and share their plans to support rebuilding southern Appalachia.
“We’re here for the long haul,” Harris said during a trip to Asheville on Saturday.
North Carolina’s toll pause came days before Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also announced that highway fees would be suspended in west Florida, central Florida, and Alligator Alley.
Drivers who are looking to save on toll fees can use navigation apps like Waze to avoid the lanes.
E-ZPass also makes it easier and cheaper to pay for tolls in 20 states.
Plus, it’s important to sign up for mobile alerts from their state transportation departments that warn drivers of important toll updates or traffic news.
