Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increase takes effect January 1, 2012

Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increase takes effect January 1, 2012

Fares are set to rise by 10% on January 1, 2012 on The Pennsylvania Turnpike and most of the commonwealth's toll roads. Only cash-paying travelers will be affected since  E-Z Pass rates are remaining the same.  With this rate increase, E-Z Pass customers will pay approximately 17% less than the cash customer.

The  rate increase will be applied to all vehicle classes on all Turnpike sections in the Greater Philadelphia  area and the Northeast Extension (Turnpike 476).  The Southern Beltway (Turnpike 576) in Allegheny and Washington counties, will see no rate changes.

According to PA Turnpike officials, only one third of PA Turnpike travelers will be affected, since almost two-thirds already take advantage of E-Z Pass. 

For anyone who uses the PA Turnpike regularly, E-Z Pass will save money, time and long toll lines at rush hour and holidays. Getting E-ZPass is relatively easy: Most customers enroll online at www.paturnpike.com or by calling 1-877-Penn-Pass (1-877-736-6727). Customers can also open an E-Z Pass account at many of the state's AAA offices and at certain regional grocery stores including Acme, Giant Eagle, Get-Go and Karns. Visit www.paturnpike.com/ezpass/sales.aspx. to get a complete list of retail locations offering E-Z Pass registration.

Turnpike officals remind us that collecting tolls electronically is safer, faster and more convenient for customers and is also considered better for the environment because it helps diminish idling at  toll plazas and reduces the Turnpike's operating costs."

The cost to process an E-Z Pass transaction is about four times less than the cost of handling a cash transaction; it costs the commission about $1 per transaction to collect a cash toll, and less than 25 cents per transaction to collect tolls via E-Z Pass.

The lower E-Z Pass rates apply to all individual and commercial E-Z Pass customers regardless of issuing agency or state in which an account was established.  There are 24 E-Z Pass agencies in 14 states, largely in the Northeastern U.S., and more than 20 million E-Z Pass transponders in use on toll roads, bridges and tunnels nationwide.

Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increase takes effect January 1, 2012 for cash customers.