Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls set to rise 5% in January, residents react
Johnstown, Pa — On Sunday January 7th, tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will increase 5 percent.
This follows Act 44 — which allows the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to increase tolls annually.
An official with the P.T.C says this increase will help fund projects on the major roadway.
Pennsylvania residents we spoke with — who say they frequent the Turnpike — are not very pleased with this news.
“Just another extra dollar that were going to have to pay elsewhere," said Bryan Abel. "Everything going up and it just becoming a hassle with everything going up constantly.”
Larry Wade added, “When I went through there, they have to take a picture of your tag and then you get it in the mail and you’re like oh my god, it cost that much to go, you know.”
Channel 6 is told the toll increase will differ based on whether you pay using EZ Pass or toll by plate.
Those who use EZ Pass will see an increase of 10 cents on the Turnpike — where those who pay with toll by plate will pay up to 30 cents more.
“I think they’re already high as is," Abel added. "I really don’t know what a whole five percent is going to do. If you increase them just, I think maybe will be a little bit more heckle for people traveling. They’re high already.”
Wade said, “They got to think about the people and the economy right now, it’s not really good. So, increasing it is just going to make people take greyhound, or the bus or whatever.”
Abel and Wade believe they aren’t the only Pennsylvanians upset about the increase.
“I don’t think the publics going to react too kindly to it," said Abel. "I mean granted if traveling a toll to work every day you’re going to have to suck it up and pay the toll, but I don’t think its going to be a great reaction from the public at all.”
“It’s gonna hurt the average person, you know who can’t afford it," added Wade. "You know their going to have to start taking trains and buses and things like that and you really don’t want to do that if you have your own car, but if you don’t have an option then you just don’t have an option to do it.”
The PA Turnpike is expected to see an annual toll increase into 2050’s.
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