Small Trucker Group Takes Action Against Indiana Tolls

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association filed a lawsuit against the Indiana Finance Authority, the Indiana Toll Road Concession Company, the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation and Governor Eric Holcomb.

The class action complaint, filed in Federal District Court in Indianapolis, challenges the 35 percent increase in tolls imposed on drivers of heavy vehicles travelling the Indiana Toll Road that was implemented on October 5, 2018. The increase was intended to raise $1 billion for Indiana’s “Next Level Connections Program.” 

OOIDA says the measure is burdensome, discriminatory and violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. 

Back in October, OOIDA had sent a letter to the governor expressing objections to the plan. 

OOIDA’s lawsuit says the tolls imposed by the ITRCC are not only excessive but are also used to subsidize services and facilities provided by the state that have no functional relationship to the Indiana Toll Road.   

“The governor has admitted publicly that the increased tolls on truckers were intended for out-of-state users,” said Todd Spencer, president of OOIDA. “He seems to think that, in his own words, ‘capturing other people’s money’ is okay. He would be very wrong about that. Truckers are not rolling piggy banks.” 

“Indiana’s failure to solve the state’s history of serious financial problems and bad decisions should not fall upon the shoulders of truckers,” said Spencer. 

OOIDA seeks an injunction to stop further imposition of the toll increase along with refunds of excessive tolls paid since October 2018. 

Category: General Update, News