Published: July 01, 2009 07:15 am      

Editorial: Keep bridge fare fair

Everyone who has a job is a commuter of one kind or another, from the poor soul who drives two hours each way to the guy who walks to his home office in his pajamas.

For those who live on the wrong side of the Mackinac Bridge from where they work, the commute can be an adventure -- from snow and sleet to high winds and tolls.

Right now the bridge toll is $3 each way, which could cost a commuter a hefty $120 a month. But the authority years ago established a "commuter rate" (currently $1.70 each way) for those who buy so-called "commuter cards," which act just like a credit card for the bridge. Motorists swipe their card at the toll booth and don't have to mess with paper money. The fee for a card is $10; the minimum amount put on the card is $80.

The authority quickly realized, however, that a lot of their commuter cards were being purchased by people who were obviously not commuters, and the difference was costing the authority money. Right now, it's up to more than $250,000 a year.

The statistics tell the story, good and bad. Of the 99.564 crossings taken by the 1,090 Cheboygan County residents with commuter cards last year, 90 percent were round trips within 24 hours, the classic commuter mode. Of the 195,078 crossings by people with Mackinac County addresses, 87 percent were within 24 hours. That's the way it's supposed to work.

But things get screwy, too. Of the 6,898 crossings by Charlevoix County cardholders, just 57 percent met the commuter profile. And just 30 percent of the 4,887 crossings by Oakland County residents were within 24 hours.

And then there are the folks from Elkhart, Ind., and Sarasota, Fla., St. Louis, Mo., and Humboldt, Calif., who took nearly 700 trips on commuter passes last year alone. That is one long commute.

The authority is considering two proposals to close the revenue gap.

Under the first -- and the fairest, its seems -- those who use a commuter card after Dec. 31 (when the one-way fare rises to $3.50) and return within 24 hours will be charged just 10 cents for the return trip. To get the commuter rate, you'll have to act like a commuter. Under the second, motorists must cross at least 12 times in a year and then refunds are given on the 24-hour rule.

Maximizing fare revenue and keeping things fair for commuters are both important goals for the bridge authority. Changing the commuter rules will do both.