Louisiana lawmakers just approved a plan aiming to make the controversial Belle Chasse Bridge tolls less of a headache.
A resolution was approved urging the Department of Transportation and Development to study the process and the controversial deal.
State Rep. Jacob Braud said Plenary, the company that has helped fund the bridge, is being fined every day. The total project is not complete; by January, Braud estimates Plenary could have to pay $5 million.
The resolution asks DOTD to assess the feasibility of Geaux Pass toll tags becoming operable with other states’ toll tags and to generate a report on monthly and yearly revenue.
The resolution also highlights how the distance between Belle Chasse and the Geaux Pass local office is inconvenient for citizens. The Belle Chasse Bridge has an office for customers, but it’s in Golden Meadow, nearly a two-hour drive.
Braud mentioned that using a credit card incurs a 3% processing fee for each trip. Braud said drivers are also being mailed bills and charged an additional $2.64 per mailed bill.
“People are extremely upset,” Braud said. “The rollout of Geaux Pass has been immensely disappointing. It was delayed at least 12 times, and now we find out they are charging per trip instead of allowing users to load their Geaux Pass accounts. For every $100, users get about 16 fewer trips per year — that’s unfair. People are paying more than they actually owe, which is a significant problem.”
Plenary issued the following statement:
“HR 220
“PIBC is happy to assist the state with any efforts undertaken as outlined in HR 220. We pride ourselves on being a good partner to the Department of Transportation and Development and will provide any information requested.
“Credit Card Processing Fees
“Regarding the credit card processing fees, 3 percent is a standard processing fee to cover the processing charges from the credit card. It is not charged when the account is funded because GeauxPass can be used on LA1 and the Belle Chasse Bridge, and those processing fees are handled differently at each tolling site. According to the contract for the Belle Chasse Bridge, the processing fee is passed on to users of the bridge. At LA1, the state has chosen to absorb the cost of the processing fee. Since there is no way to determine where a GeauxPass customer will travel, customers are not charged the processing fee for the Belle Chasse Bridge until they use the bridge. Customers are reminded they can fund their GeauxPass account with a check or an e-check without incurring a credit card processing fee. They can mail in a check or provide e-check information online.
“Toll Exemptions
“Toll exemptions include:
- Law Enforcement Vehicles
- Staff & Volunteer Firefighters (For trips in an official capacity )
- Emergency Vehicles with Lights
- State Militia (For trips in an official capacity )
- Disabled Veterans
- School Busses
- Mass Transit Vehicles
- Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls (account adjusted manually when transporting 15+ children)
“Project Completion
“The target date for project completion is the end of the year.”
READ MORE:Louisiana lawmakers approve resolution after Belle Chasse Bridge complaints
