Bad experience at Queens Tunnel
May 21st, 2002, 09:10 AM
#24
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Driving around the tri-state area (NY/NJ/CT) is soooooo frustrating and confusing! It makes everybody crazy. Sorry you had such a bad experience. But things have been tense this year in the wake of 9/11, especially around the bridges and tunnels. Not to make excuses, but just a possible explanation. Please don't let it affect your decision to visit NYC again. There's a lot here that's positive. One traffic cop shouldn't spoil your experience, though I do sympathize!
May 21st, 2002, 09:26 AM
#25
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I may be way offbase here but I thought most metropolitan area tolls were set up the same way. I can't remember a time when the express lanes were not on the left and the cash lanes on the right. I have driven in cities all around the country and it is always the same - Chicago, NY, etc... I think I have gone through every major toll in the tri-state area (esp in NJ, the "tollbooth state") and they are all like that. In addition, I was unaware that cops or toll operators were ever known for their customer service skills. Diane's experience just sounds like par for the course, not especially bad at all.
May 21st, 2002, 09:30 AM
#26
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What's wrong with you people? Maybe some tourists are driving because they are passing through? The signs are NOT clear. Maybe to those of you who drive those roads hundreds of times, but to a first timer driving around the city, it is not easy.
New York isn't the only place with poorly marked signs and roads. I'm convinced that those responsible for marking roads and placing signs are sadists and incompetants. Tourists should not be responsible for making a mistake on poorly marked roads. Just a few weeks ago we were driving to Yankee Stadium and were somewhat unsure as to whether we were going in the right direction (yes we had clear directions). We noticed not one sign saying "Yankee Stadium" and pointing the direction. Would it kill the city to put up a sign or 2 to a major tourist attraction?
I think it stinks that they ticket someone $70 for making an honest mistake. Sometimes by the time you see which lanes are marked EZ pass it is too late and you can't move over to the cash lane because of traffic. Those who drive in frequently already know which lanes to use and aren't aware of how difficult this can be in heavy traffic.
Way to make people glad they visited your city.
New York isn't the only place with poorly marked signs and roads. I'm convinced that those responsible for marking roads and placing signs are sadists and incompetants. Tourists should not be responsible for making a mistake on poorly marked roads. Just a few weeks ago we were driving to Yankee Stadium and were somewhat unsure as to whether we were going in the right direction (yes we had clear directions). We noticed not one sign saying "Yankee Stadium" and pointing the direction. Would it kill the city to put up a sign or 2 to a major tourist attraction?
I think it stinks that they ticket someone $70 for making an honest mistake. Sometimes by the time you see which lanes are marked EZ pass it is too late and you can't move over to the cash lane because of traffic. Those who drive in frequently already know which lanes to use and aren't aware of how difficult this can be in heavy traffic.
Way to make people glad they visited your city.
May 21st, 2002, 10:01 AM
#28
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EZPass lanes can be ANYWHERE as can exact change lanes. I travel the I-95 corridor all the time, including the Garden S. Pkwy and I've never been able to nail down any rules about left vs. right side, middle or sides. True enough, one of the EZ pass lanes is likely to be on the far left, and one of the not-exact-change lanes is likely to be on the far right, but in the middle, when there are more than about 3 gates, it's usually a free-for-all.
May 21st, 2002, 10:22 AM
#29
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I can't believe a story about being in the wrong lane at the Midtown tunnel can generate so much controversy, but it's obviously a troll post because 1) fines in NYC are not paid to the officer when the ticket is given and 2) no NYC police officer would take $70 from a motorist at a place that is under video and other types of surveillance. Sorry, but nice try.
May 21st, 2002, 10:30 AM
#32
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I am actually the person who developed the software for the MTA that helps them determine the best location for cash, exact change, and E-ZPass lanes. Yes, the E-ZPass lanes can be anywhere in the toll plaza. At least one E-ZPass and one cash lane must be accessible from each incoming highway lane.
The Queens Midtown Tunnel and the Brooklyn Battery tunnel outbound plazas have the problem of no advance signage (inside the tunnel), so these are much more confusing than any of the others.
Having conducted 14-hour long traffic surveys at the QMT and the other 8 MTA bridges and tunnels, I remember that the QMT people were the worst when it came to friendliness...and I literally had to beg to use their bathroom. They just would not let me in. Most of the other B & Ts gave me a key or the combination to get into their toll plaza office! So this "gruff attitude" is not everywhere. Sorry you had such a rough time. Well, at least you didn't get a parking ticket...every friend and relative who's ever driven in to visit me has gotten one, from not reading the signs!
The Queens Midtown Tunnel and the Brooklyn Battery tunnel outbound plazas have the problem of no advance signage (inside the tunnel), so these are much more confusing than any of the others.
Having conducted 14-hour long traffic surveys at the QMT and the other 8 MTA bridges and tunnels, I remember that the QMT people were the worst when it came to friendliness...and I literally had to beg to use their bathroom. They just would not let me in. Most of the other B & Ts gave me a key or the combination to get into their toll plaza office! So this "gruff attitude" is not everywhere. Sorry you had such a rough time. Well, at least you didn't get a parking ticket...every friend and relative who's ever driven in to visit me has gotten one, from not reading the signs!
May 21st, 2002, 05:11 PM
#33
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Wow...I guess I hit a nerve. Thanks for all of the responses, good and bad. For the record- the policeman took our $3.50 toll charge and gave us a $70 ticket. Also, we weren't able to just drive thru the EZ pass lane when we realized our error. It was blocked to prevent that very thing.
And-- those lanes are confusing. VERY CONFUSING. And very crowded. If you don't know your way, it's an honest, easy mistake to make. My beef is more over the policeman's attitude and what I consider to be a high fine for a minor traffic violation. We were wrong, and we knew it. There was no need to be combative about it.
And-- those lanes are confusing. VERY CONFUSING. And very crowded. If you don't know your way, it's an honest, easy mistake to make. My beef is more over the policeman's attitude and what I consider to be a high fine for a minor traffic violation. We were wrong, and we knew it. There was no need to be combative about it.
May 21st, 2002, 05:42 PM
#35
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I would love it if someone would define "honest mistake" . Everyone and his cousin would be whining to the cops, that it was just a mistake..they do whine to the cops that it was just a mistake!
There are sign BEFORE you get to the toll plaza that tell you where the EZPASS lanes are.Read the signs next time, that is what they are for.
There are sign BEFORE you get to the toll plaza that tell you where the EZPASS lanes are.Read the signs next time, that is what they are for.
May 21st, 2002, 06:13 PM
#37
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Hey x, you've obviously never driven in and around Manhattan. Many, many times traffic is backed up before you ever see a sign telling you which lane is for EZPass. And just try crossing over 10 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic with drivers who would sooner slit your throat then allow you to cut in front of them to cross lanes.
May 21st, 2002, 06:33 PM
#38
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I live and work in Chicago, and park in a downtown garage every day. Many people in the garage are monthly parkers (myself included) and pay a monthly fee by mail. The one (and only) perk of being a monthly parker is that one of the cashier lanes is for monthly parkers only and is CLEARLY marked as such. (The sign looks like a gaudy sign for a Broadway play). Every now and then, and, interestingly enough, ONLY when it is crowded, a non-monthly parker will ignore the sign, whip around the long lines at the cashiers, and pull into the short or completely empty "monthly only" lane. (This never seems to happen whne the outgoing traffic is extremely light or non-existent.)
Once they realize what they have done, EVERYONE behind them has to back up - and it can take 10-15 minutes to remedy when it's crowded. The last time it happened, it was right behind the woman, and someone behind me honked. She got out of her car and started yelling at ME. I had seen exactly what she did - she thought she was being clever by beating all the chumps out of the garage by getting in the shortest lane, and simply could not be bothered to read the sign. I think this is the reason more often than some would care to admit - they see the "best" lane, and jump into it, without reading the signs first.
Once they realize what they have done, EVERYONE behind them has to back up - and it can take 10-15 minutes to remedy when it's crowded. The last time it happened, it was right behind the woman, and someone behind me honked. She got out of her car and started yelling at ME. I had seen exactly what she did - she thought she was being clever by beating all the chumps out of the garage by getting in the shortest lane, and simply could not be bothered to read the sign. I think this is the reason more often than some would care to admit - they see the "best" lane, and jump into it, without reading the signs first.
