The Alliance for Toll Free Interstates is recruiting members to join truck-stop operators, truckers and other highway users to fight attempts by states or Congress to toll existing interstate highways.
UPS Inc. and FedEx Corp. are members, along with the Specialized Carriers and Riggers Association and Natso, the national organization of truck-stop operators.
“Currently, we have over 80 members,” Alliance spokesman Hayes Framme said. “We are continuing to reach out to businesses along interstates like fast-food chains, as well as highway user groups and companies that use the interstate to transport goods.”
The alliance was formed earlier this year as a nonprofit corporation to educate and advocate, not lobby, said Framme.
“ATFI may work to influence legislation but has no plans to participate in political campaigns on behalf of any candidates for public office,” he added.
ATFI wants policymakers to know it is “not just five truckers yelling about tolling on existing interstates” but a broad coalition of businesses and individuals, Framme said.
American Trucking Associations also is a member.
Federal law prohibits tolls on existing interstates. However, in recent years officials in Pennsylvania, Montana, Virginia, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Missouri have proposed petitioning the federal government to allow tolls to pay for maintenance and improvements.
