Drivers to see 5% toll hike in 2023

Applies to all E-ZPass, toll-by-plate customers

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission on Tuesday approved a 5% toll increase for 2023 for all EZPass and toll-by-plate customers, turnpike officials said.

The new rates will take effect across the highway system on Jan. 8, according to the commission’s press release.

The most-common toll for a passenger vehicle next year will increase from $1.70 to $1.80 for E-ZPass customers and from $4.10 to $4.40 for toll-by-plate customers.

The most-common toll for a Class-5 tractor-trailer will increase from $13.70 to $14.40 for E-ZPass and from $28 to $29.40 for tollby-plate.

Rates for E-ZPass drivers are nearly 60% less than toll-by-plate rates.

Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said the commission has been forced to increase tolls annually through the foreseeable future to meets its financial obligations under the state’s Act 44 plan.

That legislation was enacted in 2007 and required the turnpike to transfer $450 to $900 million annually to the state to support transportation projects.

“It’s worth noting that, even with these ongoing annual increases, our per-mile toll rate continues to be below the midline compared with rates of other U.S. tolling agencies,” Compton said.

The state’s E-ZPass rates rank 24th out of 47 U.S. tolling agencies, and its 13.8 cent-per-mile electronic tolling rate is 20% lower than the national average of 17.8 cents-per-mile, the commission said.

Based on current traffic and revenue projections, the commission’s plan calls for future toll increases of 5% through 2025, 4% in 2026, 3.5% in 2027, then 3% annually from 2028 to 2050.