PENNSYLVANIA (KYW Newsradio) — Toll prices on the Pennsylvania Turnpike increased by 5% Sunday.
And this shouldn’t come as a surprise, as these prices have been steadily rising since 2009.
Turnpike spokesman Carl DeFebo says the Turnpike enforces this to pay back money borrowed to fund highways and mass transit systems like SEPTA.
In September, state officials reported the Turnpike was $13.2 billion in debt, which is about 2 billion more than the entire debt of the Commonwealth.
“Because of the debt that the Turnpike has incurred under the funding plan that was outlined in this law, we will continue to see annual increases for some time,” DeFebo said.
Along the stretch from Fort Washington to Valley Forge, E-ZPass toll prices are now $3.10. Last year, it was $2.90. The turnpike says, per mile, its increases are in line with other toll roads in the nation.
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DeFebo said the Turnpike also has more power to go after drivers who don’t pay their tolls.
In November, Gov. Tom Wolf approved a new law that lets the Turnpike ask PennDOT to suspend the registrations of vehicles with $250 in unpaid tolls – a reduction from the previous $500 limit.
“The thresholds have dropped, meaning more people now are going to be eligible to have their registrations suspended for their vehicles.”
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DeFabo says the Turnpike commission’s funding plan expects smaller annual increases starting five years from now.
“We’ll have five percent increases the next few years but, ultimately, the goal is to hold annual increases to three percent beginning in 2028.”