The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has announced another hike in tolls that will take effect next year.
The commission announced on Tuesday that the hike will be 5% for both E-Z Pass and Toll by Plate users. This will result in a ten-cent increase for the average E-Z Pass customer while Toll By Plate customers will see an increase from $4.40 to $4.70. Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said they were obligated to raise rates annually as part of its legislative mandate to provide PennDOT with supplemental funding for transit systems around the state, per Act 44 of 2007. While payments have gone down to $50 million a year, the turnpike has to borrow to make those payments. Because the Act-44 funding plan required borrowing by means of 30-year bonds, the PTC is obligated to increase tolls annually through at least 2053. The annual 5% increase in tolls continues the Commission’s planned multi-year reduction, with a goal of getting to 3% by 2028.
The Turnpike Commission is offering a toll calculator on its website to calculate how much your trip will cost. You can find it at https://www.paturnpike.com/toll-calculator
