The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission June 17 voted to approve a five percent toll increase for both E-ZPass and cash customers in 2015. The increase, which will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 4, 2015, will boost the most common tractor-trailer class toll from $8.62 to $9.05 for E-ZPass customers and from $12.15 to $12.80 for cash customers.
“Yearly Turnpike toll increases are necessary for the commission to satisfy the financial plan outlined under a transportation-funding law enacted seven years ago,” Act 44, said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. Under the act, the PTC “must make annual transportation-funding payments to PennDOT while at the same time allocating funding to maintain and improve our own 550-plus-mile system – parts of which turn 75 years old next year.”
The 2015 toll increase will be the seventh annual rate increase needed under Act 44 of 2007. It is the first time since 2011 that E-ZPass rates have gone up by the same percent as cash rates. E-ZPass tolls have increased by seven percent since lower rates for E-ZPass were first introduced in 2011.
“Over the last few years, the Commission has taken several steps to increase efficiency and accountability and to provide a better transportation value,” Compton added. “We will continue to improve business practices and work to keep toll increases to a minimum.”