Pa. Turnpike Considering Electronic Tolling Plan

A plan by the Pennsylvania Turnpike to move toward electronic tolling would put a 76% surcharge for motorists who do not use E-ZPass devices, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Tuesday.

The surcharge would mean that a four-axle truck that pays $50.40 with E-ZPass to cross the state would pay $88.70 without it, the Inquirer reported.

Jim Runk, president of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, told the paper the benefits of electronic tolling far outweigh the negatives for truckers who use the turnpike.

The move is seen as being at least five years down the road because of the time required to install the equipment, reconfigure on- and off-ramps, and get legislative authority to penalize violators, the Inquirer reported.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike last year set 10% increases that took effect in 2012, but kept E-ZPass discounts in place, while ending commercial truck discounts.