Turnpike tolls increase Sunday

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is reminding drivers that toll increases take effect Sunday.

Drivers with an E-ZPass on the turnpike will see a 6% increase while those without it will see a 45%.

The commission said the most common toll for a passenger vehicle will increase from $1.50 to $1.60 for E-ZPass customers and from $2.50 to $3.90 for those choosing Toll By Plate.

The most common toll for a class 5 tractortrailer will increase from $12.20 to $13 for EZPass and from $17.30 to $26.60 for toll-by-plate customers.

For those without the E-Z Pass, cameras capture the license-plate image at the tolling booths, and the vehicle’s registered owner receives an invoice monthly.

The commission began the cashless system in March because of the pandemic and laid off 500 employees in June when it made the cashless system permanent.

Mark Compton, turnpike CEO, said the tollby-plate rates pay for processing tolls and collecting payments.

“This balanced approach allows us to maintain a lower rate for those choosing a payment method that is less costly to administer, while those who choose a pricier payment option absorb those costs,” Compton said.

The commission also has upgraded its smartphone app — PA Toll Pay — so non E-ZPass customers can use it to create an autopay account and receive a 15% savings on their monthly toll-by-plate invoices.

For more information go to www.paturnpike.com