A trip on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will cost more on Sunday than it did on Saturday with the institution of a 5% toll rate hike that was approved in August.
The increase applies to both E-ZPass users and Toll-By-Plate customers and, according to the turnpike commission, is needed to meet funding and capital-improvement obligations.
After Saturday a Class 1 vehicle that gets onto the Northeast Extension in Quakertown and travels to the turnpike’s Levittown exit will generate an E-ZPass toll of $8.10, rather than $7.70. Without E-ZPass the same vehicle would pay $17 rather than $16.10.
To check toll rates for travel on the PA Turnpike, visit https://www.paturnpike.com/toll-calculator.
The PA Turnpike funding plan calls for toll increases of 5% through 2025 based on current projections. Ultimately, the goal is to hold annual increases to 3% beginning in 2028, the commission said in a statement.
For the past 15 years, under Act 44 of 2007, the PA Turnpike has been legislatively mandated to transfer more than $7.9 billion to PennDOT for highway and transit needs. It has taken on debt to finance the Act 44 mandate.
Also in effect is a new law that enables the PA Turnpike to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to suspend motor-vehicle registrations of owners with four or more overdue Toll-By-Plate invoices, or $250 or more in unpaid tolls or outstanding toll invoices. Previously, the law required six past-due toll invoices or at least $500 in unpaid tolls.
“If you’re someone who believes there are no consequences for toll theft, we want you to know that you’re mistaken,” PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said in a statement.
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