91视频

The Oregon Department of Transportation has chosen three companies to help create and implement the state’s mileage charge collection system.

The companies 鈥� Azuga, Sanef and Verizon 鈥� will now be required to pass through ODOT‘s certification process so they’re ready to begin providing services to the program’s volunteer motorists starting July 1.

The Road Usage Charge Program is the result of the 2013 Legislature’s passage of Senate Bill 810. The bill established the first system in the United States that levels a usage charge to supplement state transportation funding. The bill authorized ODOT to assess a charge of 1.5 cents per mile for up to 5,000 cars and light-duty commercial vehicles and issue a fuel tax credit to those participants.

鈥淥ur vision is to create a reliable, easy-to-use, low-cost, enforceable and publicly acceptable 鈥榦pen’ system,鈥� said Jim Whitty, manager of ODOT’s Office of Innovative Partnerships and Alternative Funding. 鈥淎 charge based on measured road use preserves fairness and accountability in supporting the state’s system of roads and highways.鈥�

The three companies will calculate charges and any credits due participating volunteers and submit those charges to the Oregon State Treasury office. ODOT will audit the account managers and verify that payments are made.

Oregon’s per-mile charging system was first authorized by the 2001 Legislature. After two pilot programs and extensive research, ODOT is ready to implement the Road Usage Charge Program.