AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Disabled veterans are not being granted discounts on Central Texas toll roads despite legislation passed in 2009 giving state agencies authority to grant free rides.
The Austin American-Statesman reports (http://bit.ly/MdykEv) Sunday that only toll authorities in the Houston area have granted disabled veterans a discount. Two agencies that oversee Central Texas tolls have not adopted the practice, and do not plan to in the short term.
Rep. Abel Herrero of Corpus Christi, who co-wrote the 2009 bill, says he though the agencies would see it as an opportunity "to say thank you."
The Texas Department of Transportation, the largest authority, says granting disabled veterans free rides could harm annual revenues by 10 percent, according to a 2009 analysis based on each veteran making a round trip five days a week.
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Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com
