New Year Means New Rates On Pa. Turnpike
KING OF PRUSSIA (CBS) - If you're using the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Monday, don't forget new rates are in effect and that is not the only change.
The rate hikes are a combined total of 5 percent according to turnpike officials, but not every one is seeing the same increase. If you pay cash, your rate hike is 10 percent, and if you use E-Zpass you'll see a 3 percent jump.
Many drivers say it's not a bad idea to steer people towards the electronic tags. One morning commuter at the Valley Forge Service Plaza said, "(It) makes things flow easier and it's not as congested so it makes sense."
Mike, from Abington, learned about the increase and his first reaction wasn't as understanding. "Ouch, now that's painful, that's gonna hurt a little bit," Mike said.
Turnpike officials say get used to these rate hikes as we are probably going to see them each year. That's due to a 2007 law which uses turnpike revenue to fund repairs on other roads and highways.
One other change is that the new tickets won't have the prices printed on them, at least not for several weeks. Turnpike officials had said, with the annual rate hikes, it would be a waste of money to keep having to print the new tolls on tickets. That caused travel groups to protest and the turnpike commission changed its mind. However, the new tolls will not be on the tickets just yet. It is going to take some time before those tickets get back in circulation.
Reported by: Jim Melwert, KYW Newsradio
