Ask a Toll Collector anything

122 Questions

Last Answer on September 11, 2020

I'm appalled to hear that someone asked you "Is this what you're going to do for the rest of your life?" How did you respond to that? If you didn't tell him off, you're a better person than most.

Asked by Myra about 12 years ago

At the time he asked I think it was around 2-3 in the morning and I wasn't particularly interested in getting into it with him. I think I muttered a 'yup', gave him his change and turned away. It stung. People find themselves in places for a myriad of reasons and to have that guy bring my entire life to judgement at that moment hurt.

872 Votes

When I worked for the federal government, I had a paygrade class, a GS-3. I was wondering if municipal employees in NYC also have that kind of numbering system, and if so, what number/grade a toll collector would have?

Asked by Jane almost 12 years ago

I actually can't speak to collectors here in New York City as I worked in the Western part of the state and they are part of a different agency. I took a look at the civil service listing in 2010, which I believe was the last time the test was offered, and the salary grade is listed as 'Equated to G-9.' I'm not too versed in that part of the job though, as I was a part-timer for the five years that I was there.

870 Votes

When toll fees would increase, would drivers take it out on you and demand answers ? What would you say? Were you instructed by your superiors on what to say in those instances?

Asked by Very Zano about 12 years ago

Those were unpleasant days, for sure. We had one three-year stretch where the tolls increased three times. During the first hike, local radio stations were organizing a mass 'pay your toll in pennies' protest. Seemed kind of counter-productive to me since the only people being hurt were collectors and toll-paying patrons, but whatever. People would constantly ask about why the tolls were going up but we never had an official reason to give them. I guess we could have cited ' Capital Improvements' but I don't think anyone really did. Our bosses put up signs on the booth about a week in advance that said 'New Toll Rates in Effect' and that was about it. The only instance I can recall in which we had a specific response was when Native Americans didn't want to pay their toll, but I never encountered a situation that I needed to cite it. (Not that i would have remembered it anyway)

854 Votes

What's the fastest you've ever seen someone drive through the EZ Pass lane?

Asked by len about 12 years ago

50+. Not too outrageous sounding until you think about the fact that collectors often have to cross these lanes and the speed limit is 5 mph in these lanes.

841 Votes

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Is there anything done to protect toll booth workers from inhaling car fumes? Did you have any health complications from this?

Asked by jim f about 12 years ago

Unfortunately I don't know of anything that is done to combat the exhaust that is present. I have no ill health effects to speak of, but it would be interesting study to take on in respect to the lifers. Coincidentally, a majority of my co-workers were smokers.

837 Votes

Where do toll workers park?

Asked by heynow over 11 years ago

Next time you go through, look for a small building on either side of the toll plaza. There should be a parking a lot attached to it, or very close by. Often, it's only accessible by way of the highway itself so collectors will have to go through toll lanes and pull in that way. That building is where a manger is (at some stations), where we eat, take our breaks, and generally try to forget that we are toll collectors.

837 Votes

Did you ever witness an out-of-control driver or high-speed chase where someone crashed right through the toll gate, like in the movies?

Asked by miles and miles almost 12 years ago

We actually don't employ gates in our system so that wasn't a possibility but people did speed through our lanes with some regularity. Sometimes we got them to stop, sometimes we didn't. Nothing too exciting though, sorry to disappoint! I did once witness a (most likely) drunk driver stop, open her car door, and promptly drop from the seat to the pavement. Drunk drivers are scary.

831 Votes

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Toll Collector

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I'm appalled to hear that someone asked you "Is this what you're going to do for the rest of your life?" How did you respond to that? If you didn't tell him off, you're a better person than most.

When I worked for the federal government, I had a paygrade class, a GS-3. I was wondering if municipal employees in NYC also have that kind of numbering system, and if so, what number/grade a toll collector would have?

When toll fees would increase, would drivers take it out on you and demand answers ? What would you say? Were you instructed by your superiors on what to say in those instances?

What's the fastest you've ever seen someone drive through the EZ Pass lane?

Also on Jobstr...

Is there anything done to protect toll booth workers from inhaling car fumes? Did you have any health complications from this?

Where do toll workers park?

Did you ever witness an out-of-control driver or high-speed chase where someone crashed right through the toll gate, like in the movies?

Toll Collector

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I'm appalled to hear that someone asked you "Is this what you're going to do for the rest of your life?" How did you respond to that? If you didn't tell him off, you're a better person than most.

When I worked for the federal government, I had a paygrade class, a GS-3. I was wondering if municipal employees in NYC also have that kind of numbering system, and if so, what number/grade a toll collector would have?

When toll fees would increase, would drivers take it out on you and demand answers ? What would you say? Were you instructed by your superiors on what to say in those instances?

What's the fastest you've ever seen someone drive through the EZ Pass lane?

Also on Jobstr...

Is there anything done to protect toll booth workers from inhaling car fumes? Did you have any health complications from this?

Where do toll workers park?

Did you ever witness an out-of-control driver or high-speed chase where someone crashed right through the toll gate, like in the movies?

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