PA Turnpike Tolls Go Up

A toll increase has gone into effect on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with a higher toll on cash users to force use of EZ Pass.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission says most cash-paying customers will see a 10 percent increase, while E-ZPass users will pay 2 percent more.

The previously announced toll hikes went into effect Sunday.

The uneven increase in tolls for cash customers is an effort by the Turnpike Commission to go to a cashless toll paying system. "Today, about 68 percent of all Pennsylvania Turnpike travelers already have E-ZPass, and the commission wants to grow that number as it develops a completely cashless system, called All-Electronic Tolling, in the coming years," explains the Commission in a press release.

“Now, by setting up a toll schedule that helps E-ZPass users save about 25 percent compared to cash, we’ve provided a more appealing incentive for those who’ve been meaning to sign up.” explains acting Turnpike CEO Craig R. Shuey.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has expressed a desire of making the Garden State Parkway a cashless roadway but no programs have been implemented towards that goal.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.