Pa. Turnpike Commission approves 6 percent toll increase for 2016

All-electronic tolling also is part of the long-delayed direct connection between the turnpike and I-95, now under construction.

This year cash customers and E-ZPass users saw a 12 percent increase.

Some drivers said they would not mind too much if the money would go to improve the roadway.

The opening of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s first all-electronic toll facility in Bucks County in January will be the first step toward doing away with cash tolls – and toll collectors – all along the turnpike.

“Seems like they’re raising the rates on everything lately, so it’s kind of tough on the average people”.

The increase will take effect on January 3, 2016.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) approved on Tuesday a 6 percent toll increase for both E-ZPass and cash customers to begin in 2016, FOX29 reports.

The PTC has continued to focus on a variety of cost-saving measures to help mitigate yearly increases.

Logan last month asked the State Senate Transportation Committee to consider cutting the Turnpike’s funding requirement even more to ease the impact of toll hikes on motorists.

In addition to providing off-turnpike funding, recent toll increases have also been supporting the reconstruction and widening of the 550-mile Pennsylvania Turnpike system, parts of which turn 75 years old on October 1, according to the release. He said 114 miles have been completed so far. About 450 miles of the Turnpike must be rebuilt from the ground up and widened from four to six lanes. Designated as the Jim Thorpe/Lake Harmony exit, it allows E-ZPass customers to get on and off the Northeastern Extension in either direction. Eastbound tolls will rise from $46.10 to $48.90 for cash and from $32.95 to $34.93 for E-ZPass. The PTC manages about 1.6 million active E-ZPass accounts, with about 2.2 million transponders in circulation.