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March 14, 2001

E-ZPASS GETS EASIER IN PENNSYLVANIA
Turnpike Commission to Expand Regional E-ZPass Program this Spring

White Haven -- (PA) March 14, 2001 – Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Executive Director John Durbin today announced plans to expand the regional E-ZPass program to six additional exits. Beginning May 19, 2001, E-ZPass customers will be able to use tags between exits 16-Carlisle and 37-Wyoming Valley Toll Plaza. Durbin also encouraged customers not yet enrolled in the E-ZPass program to sign up today at www.paturnpike.com.

"The success of our program and demand for E-ZPass continues to grow. Our customers love it," said Durbin, "Adding 6 interchanges to our E-ZPass program gives our customers even more convenience."

The Wyoming Valley Toll Plaza, #37, at milepost 112.41 is the end of the ticket system on the Northeast Extension. The next two toll plazas, Keyser Ave, #38, at milepost 121.2 and Clarks Summit, #39, at milepost 130.6 are coin drop toll plazas. Although the Turnpike Commission plans to equip the Turnpike’s coin drop toll plazas with E-ZPass, no definite schedule has been set for the conversion.

Currently, the Pennsylvania Turnpike E-ZPass program includes exits 18-Harrisburg West through 33-Lehigh Valley and is available to passenger vehicles only – no trucks or buses. Durbin expects E-ZPass to be available statewide for passenger vehicles by fall 2001, and available to all vehicles in 2002.

"Since December 2, 2000 E-ZPass enrollment has doubled and we have issued more than 65,000 tags," said Durbin. "Increasing enrollment will continue to be our top priority because the more customers enroll the more successful the program will be. The message is enroll today and enjoy the benefits of E-ZPass." The easiest way to enroll is at www.paturnpike.com or by calling 1-877-PENN-PASS. E-ZPass brochures are also available at Turnpike interchanges.

After customers enroll in the Turnpike’s E-ZPass program and establish a prepaid account they will receive an E-ZPass tag, about the size of a deck of cards. Customers mount the tag on the windshield of their car, behind the rearview mirror. Once properly mounted, the tag registers customer entry and exit, and charges the appropriate toll, which is electronically transmitted to the Turnpike E-ZPass customer service center where accounts are adjusted.

"E-ZPass is convenient, easy and safe," said Durbin. "It has already helped reduce congestion at some of our busiest interchanges, and provides our customers who travel in surrounding states with a way to pay tolls wherever they see the E-ZPass sign."

E-ZPass, the convenient way for customers to pay tolls without stopping and fumbling for change or tickets, is being used by millions of people who travel up and down the Northeast corridor through Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia.

Account status is available 24 hours a day at www.paturnpike.com or by calling
1-877-PENN-PASS. For more information on the Turnpike’s E-ZPass program, or to enroll, visit www.paturnpike.com.

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 P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676         Phone: (717) 939-9551         Fax: (717) 986-9649