Turnpike OKs 6 percent hike starting January 2019

Pennsylvania Turnpike drivers will soon have to dig a little deeper to pay tolls after an across-the board rate increase was improved by the turnpike commission.

The agency approved the 6 percent toll hike Tuesday for both E-ZPass and cashpaying customers.

The higher tolls take effect at the start of 2019.

An average fare under E-ZPass will from $1.30 to $1.38.

The typical cash fare will increase from $2.10 to $2.25.

According to a press release issued by the PA Turnpike Commissioner, the 2019 toll increase — like previous annual toll increases — is required to meet the PTC’s funding obligations as well as maintaining and improving the 552-mile PA Turnpike system.

“Since 2009, the PTC has increased tolls annually to make good on a funding obligation required by a 2007 state law known as Act 44,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “Under that law, the commission has delivered $6.1 billion in tollbacked funding to PennDOT in the last 11 years.”

During the initial three years of this legal obligation — 2007 to 2009 — the PTC transferred $750 million, $850 million and $900 million respectively to PennDOT. Beginning 2010 through today, its directive has been $450 million annually.

Compton said the increase will also support efforts to manage the asset the PTC was assigned to build, operate and maintain in the mid 1930s — the PA Turnpike.

“Parts of our tollway will soon turn 78 years old, and we owe it to tollpaying customers to continue to invest in our road to make it safer, smoother and wider,” Compton said. “This year, about 84 percent of our $552 million capital budget is focused on renewing, rebuilding and widening our highway system which last year carried more than 200 million vehicles.”

The PTC has thus far reconstructed more than 132 miles of its system, with another 19 miles of roadway now being rebuilt and widened and more than 82 miles currently in planning and design phases. (The PTC does not receive tax appropriations to operate and maintain its roadway.)

The commission will post a 2019 trip calculator and toll schedule online later this summer. Visit https://www.paturnpike.com/toll/tollmileage.aspx