Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls increase by 6 percent

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Motorists will have to dig a bit deeper to pay for travel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Turnpike tolls have increased by 6 percent, largely to repay loans taken out to help fund roadwork projects under legislation passed in 2007 and 2013.

With the new rates, the most common toll for a passenger vehicle will increase from $1.09 to $1.16 for E-ZPass customers and from $1.70 to $1.80 for cash customers. The most common toll for a tractor-trailer will increase from $9.05 to $9.59 for E-ZPass customers and from $12.80 to $13.60 for cash customers.

The higher rates went into effect Sunday.

The commission expects to impose annual fare increases of 3 percent to 6 percent until 2044.

The turnpike says E-ZPass customers now account for three-quarters of its traffic. E-ZPass motorists pay lower tolls.

Also Sunday, motorists heading into Pennsylvania from New Jersey via the Pennsylvania Turnpike no longer have to stop to pay a toll at the bridge.

This affects the Neshaminy Falls connector, not other bridges entering Pennsylvania.

A camera will snap a picture of license plates at Neshaminy Falls and send a bill in the mail.