Drivers React to Another Turnpike Toll Increase

Taylor, Lackawanna County - If you use the Pennsylvania Turnpike, get ready to shell out more money.

Beginning this weekend, drivers will see another rate increase.

The amount of the toll hike depends on whether or not you use an EZ-Pass. Officials say they want there to be an incentive to use one because it is less costly to process electronic transactions.

For EZ-Pass customers, the toll increase will be two-percent.

For cash paying customers, the toll increase will be ten-percent.

Ron Davis doesn't mind.

"They keep it in good shape. The turnpike is always clean in the snow and it's well, you know, you save time," Davis said.

Jasmiry Romaldini of Scranton isn't happy to hear about the increase.

She uses the turnpike three times a week and is a cash-paying customer. She was leaving for Philadelphia when she spoke with Eyewitness News.

"That's a big hit in your pocket," Romaldini said. "It's going to be tough. It's going to be tough."

The rate hike is expected to generate $25 million in new revenue in 2013. The turnpike commission says it needs the money to cover capital expenses and its obligation to the state. 

Drivers say its a sign of the times.

"What are you going to do?" Willie Tugend of Taylor said. "Everything's going up, just like the price of gas. Last week it was $3.33 and now it's $3.55. Everybody gets spooked as soon as they hear something is going wrong, especially with the economy."

When the rate increase takes effect at 12:01 AM Sunday morning, EZ-Pass customers will pay roughly 25-percent less than cash customers.

Turnpike officials say they want that to be the case since they're looking to make the entire system cashless in the coming years.

"To me, I need it and I'm going to have to get an EZ-Pass," Romaldini said. "It's going to be a way to save a little bit of money."

Turnpike officials say as of right now, roughly 68-percent of travelers have an EZ-Pass.