Politics & Government

Turnpike Tolls to Increase in 2013

E-ZPass trips will cost 2 percent more, cash trips 10 percent more.

 

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission recently announced toll increases for 2013.

Starting Jan. 6, drivers will see a 10 percent increase if paying cash, or 2 percent if paying through an E-ZPass account.

Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The toll road is a popular thoroughfare for local drivers since it runs through Bensalem and has two local interchanges.

The new rates are projected to bring in 3 percent more revenue and nudge drivers toward the E-ZPass system. Drivers paying electronically with E-ZPass will pay 25 percent less than those who pay in cash, up from 17 percent in 2012, and the annual fee will drop from $6 to $3 for noncommercial customers.

Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Implementing this toll increase generates the needed revenue to satisfy our annual transportation-funding obligation of $450 million to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, while at the same time helping to boost enrollment in E-ZPass, which has been a longtime commission priority," Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission chief Roger E. Nutt said in a statement.

Last year, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission raised cash tolls 10 percent but . 

The commission is also encouraging drivers to enroll in its electronic payment system by adding E-ZPass-only interchanges, like the one that opened off Street Road a half mile east of its Bensalem Interchange. The Street Road Interchange allows eastbound entering and eastbound exiting traffic and offers direct Turnpike access between and Route 1.

According to commission spokeswoman Mimi Doyle, another all-electronic interchange is open in Fort Washington,  in East Whiteland Township, Chester County, and yet another is planned for the Poconos region of the Northeast Extension.


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