As I drive by where the tolls used to be, I can almost see them like ghosts from the past. Broken fragments of the persons who used to receive and give change from the other side of the window appear, as I remember the diverse group of people who worked the tolls. Some wore bright smiles. Others just wanted to keep it moving. Some wore gold rings, others polished nails, and some wrinkly skin. Now, I picture them holding out their hands and asking, “What now?”
The Florida Turnpike Enterprise has replaced toll workers with mandatory All Electronic Tolling. If you travel along the 47 miles of the Turnpike, from U.S. 1 in Florida City to the Miami-Dade/Broward County line, the only way to pay is electronically through SunPass transponders, toll-by-plate, or rental car toll programs.
Bad news was given, cash was counted, items were boxed up, and toll booths were torn down. Now, drivers can spend about an entire minute or so less per toll on the highway and build a little more change in their cup holders at the expense of 270 unemployed toll workers. This number might increase in the future as a result of similar projects planned to be installed in more highways.
With the difficulty of finding jobs in these tough economic times, and a higher level of unemployment, how can so many people get replaced by technology? Why not take it further and start replacing every coffee shop or restaurant with machines? They can probably be programmed to prepare food like a cook or brew and serve coffee like a barista.
So, why not?
