The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission on July 21 approved a 6 percent toll increase for all E-ZPass rates systemwide and for toll-by-plate rates that were established before last month’s permanent conversion to all-electronic tolling at several locations.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced today that the all-electronic tolling system it instituted on March 16 to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus will now be permanent, leading to the layoff of 500 staffers.

The commission has been increasing tolls annually for more than a decade. It blames the increases, in part, on its obligation to provide funds for Pennsylvania Department of Transportation projects. 

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of truck drivers and motorists over the use of tolls on the 359-mile Pennsylvania Turnpike. At issue is the fact that the turnpike is required to fund road projects that are not part of the turnpike system, as well as mass transit projects in the state.

Flanked by a sign that read “Road to Ruin” Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today said the Pennsylvania Turnpike, currently $11.8 billion in debt, needs legislative help to prevent tolls from continuing their annual rise.