iradiophilly | News - PA Turnpike to Raise Cash Tolls

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PA Turnpike to Raise Cash Tolls

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 07/21/11 2:37 pm | updated: 07/21/11 2:37 pm

Starting January 1, 2012 the tolls on the PA turnpike will be hiked 10% for all those paying cash. There will be no change in the toll rate for EZpass lanes.

The Turnpike commission is hoping to raise revenues by $23 million or about 3% with this toll increase. Increases have also been approved for 2013 and 2014.

The revenue generated by tolls goes towards the operations of the turnpike system. Money that the public can usually see in action in the form of road maintenance, state police, service centers, facilities, etc. takes up about 40% of the budget. Another 40% is alloted to administrative, employee salaries, legal, IT, HR, PR, finance/accounting/audits, employee benefits, etc. However there is a large remaining chunk, 20% or $62.9 million of the budget that goes towards toll collection itself. That's one big reason the toll increase is on the cash fare only, where someone is being paid to stand there to take your money instead of just a transponder reader as you roll by.

Currently 67% of cars on the turnpike use EZpass, and unlike New Jersey, you do not have to have applied for your EZpass in Pennsylvania to get the discount on the Turnpike.

A trip across PA now cost $30.17, after the toll increase it will cost your $35.50 if paying in cash. That may get a few more people sign up.

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