Fare hike of 30% on Dulles Greenway seems excessive (Reston, Leesburg: live in, cost)

[johnsonkk]

The toll will rise to $8.10 for one way during peak hours. That’s a 30% increase. Seems excessive. If it was short term, maybe but over a month of traveling for work, that amount of tolls wil add up. Is there any other options that don’t cost so much?

https://wtop.com/dc-transit/2024/01/...ay-toll-hikes/

[Veritas Vincit]

Every time I've taken that road it was empty as hell. Does it actually ever get really busy? It seems like Rte 7 serves as the main thoroughfare for that area and the Dulles Greenway is kind of a 'boutique offering'. Increasing the tolls probably won't change that.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by Veritas Vincit

Every time I've taken that road it was empty as hell. Does it actually ever get really busy? It seems like Rte 7 serves as the main thoroughfare for that area and the Dulles Greenway is kind of a 'boutique offering'. Increasing the tolls probably won't change that.

I've never seen it crowded, either. But I'd me hopping mad if I paid over $5 to use it and it was crowded.

[Veritas Vincit]

Originally Posted by spencgr

I've never seen it crowded, either. But I'd me hopping mad if I paid over $5 to use it and it was crowded.

That is one advantage if you're a very occasional user and don't mind the expense. But if you use it as a frequent commuter you'd probably prefer a lower toll with more traffic.

Imagine $8 a pop two ways 5 days a week, 260 days a year. Math says that's $4,160 a year. Let's subtract say 12 federal holidays and say 15 days off, so at 233 days that's still $3,728 a year. That's a lot of cash given there's also a non-toll road from Leesburg to Fairfax, the Beltway and by extension D.C. and whether the Dulles Greenway will save you a ton of time depends highly on where exactly you need to go.

[spencgr]

Honestly, I live in Loudoun and don't know a single person who physically goes into work (via Greenway) five days a week. I think that's probably why the fare is increasing. The 5x week crowd headed to Reston, Tysons and DC has disappeared. Most people are hybrid and head in 1-3x a week, at most.

[dkf747]

The toll rate hasn’t increased yet.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by dkf747

The toll rate hasn’t increased yet.

correct - it is a proposal to increase.

[webster]

Its not a done deal yet; there will be a hearing and then a way to call in to object:

https://www.loudounnow.com/news/loud...099729ff5.html

[JfromReston]

I submitted my comments on the proposed toll increase thru this website.

https://scc.virginia.gov/casecomment...ublic-Comments
Case Number : PUR-2023-00089

When Hwy 7 had at grade intersections between 28 and Leesburg the Greenway saved me time. Now that Hwy 7 has been substantially improved the minor time savings is not worth the cost.

[BOS2IAD]

Originally Posted by spencgr

I've never seen it crowded, either. But I'd me hopping mad if I paid over $5 to use it and it was crowded.

It does get crowded during peak evening rush hours. I've been on the road (albeit going towards Reston) and have noticed that when the road ends at Route 7, there is a backup of cars waiting to get off the ramp and go west on the Route 7 bypass.