Penn Pike to begin two-tier toll system - E-ZPass tolls up 3%, cash 10%

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has approved toll rates for 2011 that align them with many others in providing a discount for transponder tolls as compared to cash payments. Tolls paid via an E-ZPass transponder account will rise 3% while cash tolls go up 10% January 2, 2011. Collecting a cash toll costs substantially more than a transponder toll (typically 30c or so v 10c).

Close to two thirds of toll transactions on the Penn Pike are by transponder, slightly over a third are with cash so the decision aims for a weighted toll increase of 5%. It is expected to yield an extra $35m in revenue, the Turnpike says.

A detailed new toll schedule is not yet available but the percentage guidance will be followed with a rounding of actual rates.

Some examples show the likely increases:

- a 160 mile (257km) car trip from the Ohio line to Breezewood where traffic for Baltimore or the DC area might de[art the Turnpike will go from $14.20 to $15.60 the per-mile toll going from 8.9c to 9.75c/mile (5.5c/km to 6.1c/km). The transponder toll for the same trip is currently $14.16 due to a different rounding rule and goes to $14.58 or 9.1c/mile, 5.7c/km.

- a 284 mile 456km trip from New Stanton to the Delaware River bridge and the New Jersey Turnpike for an 80,000pd tractor trailer will go from $117.20 to $128.90 cash (41.3c/mile to 45.4c/mile). By transponder the toll goes to $120.67 (42.5c/mile, 26.4c/km).

The new rates represent a 6.4% discount for the transponder account.

Turnpike CEO Joe Brimmeier is quoted in a statement: "We believe it's essential to encourage more consumers to get E-ZPass. Besides the enhanced convenience for motorists, it's four times more efficient, processing up to 1,200 vehicles per hour compared to 300 per hour in a cash lane. Electronic toll collection is also more economical, allowing us to better manage traffic and increase capacity without adding toll-plaza lanes to accommodate growth. Plus, E-ZPass reduces idling at interchanges, which is better for the environment."

Brimmeier says that the Commission has done its best to streamline operations and become more efficient. The Turnpike has reduced its staff by about 200 employees or 10% in recent years.

Act 44 passed by the state legislature in 2007 obligates the Turnpike to provide $450m/year to the Pennsylvania DOT for roads and transit, and the Turnpike is likely to raise tolls every year. The Turnpike also has an expensive job in rebuilding the 70 year old road and adding 3rd lanes in places.

http://www.paturnpike.com/

TOLLROADSnews 2010-07-19