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

 June 19, 2002


PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE ISSUES 200,000TH E-ZPASS TAG

Celebrates success 18 months into program

HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission today celebrated yet another milestone in its successful E-ZPass program, issuing its 200,000th E-ZPass tag just 18 months into the program.  Commission Executive Director John Durbin credited the Turnpike’s aggressive enrollment strategy and emphasis on customer service for reaching that number so quickly.

“This is an exciting day for the E-ZPass program,” said Durbin.  “We’ve worked hard over the past 18 months to successfully build and expand the E-ZPass program, while providing the highest level of customer service.  From statewide expansion to the addition of 21 new E-ZPass lanes, we’ve tried to meet the needs of Turnpike travelers and create a program that smart drivers want to be a part of.  I’d say we’ve succeeded.”

In December 2000, the Turnpike launched the E-ZPass program in southeastern and southcentral Pennsylvania from interchanges 18-33.  That regional strategy reached 64% of Turnpike customers, mainly commuters who experienced daily backlogs and delays.  Today, E-ZPass customers account for as much as 46% of peak traffic at the Philadelphia interchange alone.

One year later, in December 2001, the Turnpike expanded the program statewide to all 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.  According to Durbin, “We considered the expansion a huge success.  We made the promise to our customers to have E-ZPass up and running statewide within a year, and we delivered on schedule.” 

Recently, the Turnpike enhanced its E-ZPass program by installing speed displays and feedback signals.  Digital speed displays show E-ZPass customers the speed at which they’re traveling through the lane.  Feedback signals look like traffic signals, with red, yellow and green lights indicating the status of customer transactions.

Durbin said the Turnpike will begin enforcing the 5-mile per hour speed limit soon.  “Safety is a top priority at the Turnpike.  We installed the speed displays to serve as a reminder and warning to customers who travel too fast through E-ZPass lanes.”

This month, 21 new E-ZPass lanes will be added at eight of the Turnpike’s busiest interchanges. 

“Enrollment continues to grow.  As we approached our 200,000th tag we wanted to be prepared to handle increased traffic volume,” said Durbin.  “With 21 new E-ZPass lanes we feel we can address the increase and satisfy many of our customers who were requesting additional lanes.”

Durbin expects enrollment to reach 300,000 by the end of the year, particularly with the addition of commercial vehicles to the program in December. 

“The program has been a huge success.  We want to continue that success,” said Durbin.  “We want all our customers to travel the safest, easiest and most convenient way possible. We look forward to making that experience available to thousands more travelers including our commercial customers.  If you travel the Turnpike and don’t have E-ZPass yet, enroll today and enjoy the ease and convenience of E-ZPass.”

To enroll or learn more about the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s E-ZPass program visit www.paturnpike.com or call 1-877-PENN-PASS.

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