Letter to the editor: Pennsylvania Turnpike's cashless 'brainstorm'

Driving over 30,000 miles a year and a significant portion on Pennsylvania toll roads, plus having my E-ZPass credit bill to prove it, I have to opine concerning the brainstorm of totally cashless.

1. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is following the lead of the finely run states of New York and New Jersey, both top of the list of states with fleeing residents because of taxes.

2. Does anyone really believe that everyone, including out-of-state residents, are going to remit $4.70 immediately upon receipt of a invoice?

3. The mailing of hundreds of thousands of invoices is cost-effective?

4. The 43 cameras in the system are going to be very, very busy.

5. The turnpike will give violators 20 days to pay. OK, then what?

6. Having one of the highest gas taxes in the nation, and now one of the highest per-mile tolls, is not good enough for this commonwealth.

7. Lastly, in the future with these added expenses (postage, handling, IT, collection, etc.) and loss of revenue (payments not remitted, cash flow deficit), what then? Is the commission revising its liquidity plan, capital plan and debt management? Don’t worry, the governor has it covered: toll raises every January — forever!

Denny Biava

Mt. Pleasant