Drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will see a 5% rate hike in 2022, regardless of whether they are E-ZPass users or are billed through a toll-by-plate system.
The increased rates will take effect Jan. 2 — except on the Southern Beltway, west of Pittsburgh.
Turnpike officials note it’s the 14th straight year that toll increases have been driven largely by debt-service costs related to the turnpike commission’s required payments toward state transit operations.
It’s the first time in six years the toll hike was held to less than 6%, turnpike CEO Mark Compton said. Beginning in July of next year, he said, the turnpike’s annual transit funding obligation will drop from $450 million to $50 million, with the difference to be covered by the state’s motor vehicle sales and use tax.
“Finally, we are seeing a light at the end of this very long tunnel,” he said. “In addition to breathing a huge sigh of relief ourselves, it enables us to begin to offer some relief to customers from those heftier toll increases and refocus on essential improvements to our roadway.”
Still, in light of continued annual payments of $50 million, extending until June 2057, and the need to pay down debt already incurred through past payments, Compton said motorists can expect annual toll increases through 2050, dropping from a projected 5% per year to 3%.
In 2022, the most common turnpike toll for a passenger vehicle will increase from $1.60 to $1.70 for E-ZPass users and from $3.90 to $4.10 under the higher toll-by-plate pricing. The most common toll for a Class-5 tractor-trailer — having a gross or combination weight between 30,001 and 45,000 pounds — will increase from $13 to $13.70 for E-ZPass and from $26.60 to $28 for toll-by-plate.
After the 2022 increase is applied, E-ZPass and toll-by-plate rates for both passenger and commercial vehicles will round up to the next dime.
Motorists who don’t use an E-ZPass can download a PA Toll Pay smartphone app — at paturnpike.com/toll/ezpass_app.aspx — to create an autopay account and receive 15% savings on monthly toll-by-plate invoices.
Turnpike officials said a 2022 trip calculator and toll schedule will be posted online in the fall.
Also in October, the turnpike will set new toll fees for the Southern Beltway. E-ZPass tolls will range from $1.30, for the shortest trip, to $13, for the longest. Toll-by-plate rates will range from $2.60 to $26.
