For the past week, callers to “Pensacola Speaks†have complained about the lack of input on the Escambia Board of County Commissioners decision to do away with cash lanes at the toll booths on the Bob Sikes Bridge at the entrance to Pensacola Beach.
An online petition asking the BCC to reverse the decision has gather nearly 2,000 signatures. A telephone poll by Panhandle Politico revealed 69-percent of county residents were against making all toll payments electronic.
Last night, the citizens let the BCC know their feelings in person, and the commissioners listened.
The Board voted unanimously to keep the current toll system, with its three cash lanes and one SunPass lane, until the board and the public could come to a consensus on the future of the toll system.
Here is what our callers had to say on Monday:
This is great. Fifteen jobs have been saved — which means 15 households will have less of a struggle. Also, a high-cost and needless computer system has been avoided.
It’s great that people have such an interest in their local community.
The toll booths provide a metering of traffic, actually reducing congestion.
This is my favorite new example of status quo bias. In Niceville, they’ve never had toll takers and they would object to getting them. In Escambia, the other way around.
I am curious as to whether it will work. In other words, how much traffic will now accumulate at the first traffic light.