Drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike may have noticed an increase in tolls. They went up 10% for cash-paying customers. But Midstaters can save some money with an E-ZPass.
For example, if a driver gets onto the Turnpike at the Harrisburg East tollbooth, and gets off the at the Philadelphia exit, it will cost $11.25 for cash paying customers. E-ZPass customers will only pay $8.79. That is a savings of $2.46.
Turnpike officials said there are other benefits too.
"It's faster and more convenient. You don't have to fumble with tickets or change. It's non-stop, meaning it'll get you to your destination faster," said Carl DeFebo of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
E-ZPass can also be used on toll roads in 14 other states.
Several Midstate stores sell E-ZPass transponders, including Wegman's, Karns and Walmart.
For more information on E-ZPass, visit http://www.paturnpike.com/ezpass/ezpassINTRO.htm.
Tolls did go up, slightly, for E-ZPass users, but only by two percent.
DeFebo said the E-ZPass savings is an incentive to use it. That is because E-ZPasses are much more cost-effective than tickets and cash.
According to DeFebo, the Turnpike Commission has plans to transition to a completely cash less system within the next five years. The reason tolls went up for both payment methods is because the Turnpike Commission needs more money to re-vamp the highway.
DeFebo also said some parts of the highway are 70 years old and need to be re-done from scratch.
Turnpike officials said they realize the toll hike is a pain, but said it will pay off down the road.
