Dear KTFC Members & Friends:
The PA Turnpike Commission has announced it will move forward with a completely cashless tolling system by the fall of 2021.
The move will eliminate the jobs of about 600 toll collectors and auditors. Commission officials said those employees would either have the opportunity to move into other Turnpike jobs or study for a new career with the help of the commission’s tuition assistance program.
The move follows a four-year pilot project. The commission will spend $129 million to install 43 overhead toll gantries over the next six years.
E-ZPass – now used by the vast majority of Turnpike travelers – will continue to be the preferred tolling option. Those without an E-ZPass transponder will have an invoice mailed to them, although there will be a higher charge than with E-ZPass.
Finally, on another subject, I will take the opportunity again to point out that this week’s news links reflect the multimodal nature of our statewide, integrated transportation system.
Be of Good Cheer,
— The Wolff
TRANSPORTATION ISSUE UPDATE
- Turnpike officials announced they will move forward with a completely cashless tolling system in two years.
- Norfolk Southern will undertake a study to determine what infrastructure improvements will be required with its tracks in order to expand passenger rail service between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
- In a bipartisan vote, a state Senate committee has advanced a measure that would establish charging stations across the state to encourage the use of electric vehicles.
- Republican Congressman Ryan Fitzpatrick called for Congress to support a nationwide federal infrastructure package for America’s roads, rails, bridges, highways, water, power and other related systems.
- Automated speed enforcement equipment is being deployed beginning this week across the Commonwealth, kicking off a 60-day period in which speeding motorists will receive warnings in the mail. Fines will be levied beginning early next year.
- A vehicle processing port terminal – the first new port terminal in 45 years – is now in operation at PhilaPort.
- State legislators are looking at having Pennsylvania join 20 other states in establishing automated shuttles on their roadways.