Turnpike Tolls to Increase in 2013

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) announced Friday, July 20, that it had approved toll increases for 2013.

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

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.

"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," PTC chief Roger E. Nutt said in the release.

Last year, the but . According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "[2013] will be the 5th consecutive year of toll increases on the turnpike." 

The PTC is also encouraging drivers to enroll in its electronic payment system by adding E-ZPass-only interchanges.

According to PTC spokesperson Mimi Doyle, there are all-electronic interchanges already open in Fort Washington and Bensalem with yet another planned for the Poconos region of the Northeast Extension.

The commission also selected a contractor to expand its electronic-payment system, according to a release:

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission also selected a program manager to lead the potential implementation of a cashless, All-Electronic Tolling (AET) system. The commission voted unanimously to engage HNTB Corp. after a competitive process. HNTB is an internationally-recognized firm with deep experience in tolling. The firm has offices in Philadelphia, Norristown, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh; the AET project will be managed from HNTB’s Harrisburg office.

You can download the full release in our PDF section.