Kathy Liebler

Manager, Public Affairs & Media Relations


C  O  M  M  I  S  S  I  O  N       N  E  W  S       R  E  L  E  A  S  E

Contact:  

Kathy Liebler, 717-939-9551, ext. 2840

October 4, 2001

 

Go the Distance with E-ZPass
Turnpike Commission Expands E-ZPass Program Statewide

Irwin (PA) October 4, 2001 – Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Executive Director John Durbin today announced plans to expand the regional E-ZPass program statewide across the entire Turnpike.   Beginning December 15, 2001, E-ZPass lanes will be available at all of the Turnpike’s 37 exits – from the Delaware River Bridge to the Ohio Turnpike on the east-west mainline and from the Mid-County interchange to the Wyoming Valley Toll Plaza on the Northeastern Extension. 

“The program is already a huge success.  Our customers love it because it’s the easiest and most convenient way to pay tolls,” said Durbin.  “So, if you live in western Pennsylvania and you haven’t enrolled, E-ZPass is coming.  You’ll be able to go the distance with E-ZPass, and that’s one more reason to enroll today!”

Currently, E-ZPass is available at Turnpike exits 16-Carlisle through 37-Wyoming Valley Toll Plaza, to passenger vehicles only – no trucks or buses.  Durbin expects E-ZPass to be available statewide for commercial vehicles and buses in 2002.

“We now have more than 125,000 customers enrolled in the E-ZPass program and the number keeps growing,” said Durbin.  “Increasing enrollment will continue to be a 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.

Durbin also reminded customers that the 5-mile per hour speed limit in E-ZPass lanes is for their safety and the safety of toll collectors.

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 has already helped reduce congestion at some of our busiest interchanges – during peak hours at some of these interchanges more than 50 percent of customers are using E-ZPass.   It also provides our customers who travel in surrounding states with a way to pay tolls wherever they see the E-ZPass sign,” concluded Durbin.

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 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