Pa. senators target turnpike toll evasion

Proposed legislation would implement harsher penalties for drivers who accumulate large unpaid bills.

Sen. Kim Ward

State Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Hempfield Township, and state Sen. Judy Ward, R-30th Senate District, will introduce legislation to curb Pennsylvania Turnpike toll evasion.

According to a statement they issued Thursday, under current state law, vehicle registration may be suspended once unpaid tolls reach $250. Still, the lawmakers say repeat violators exploit the system, resulting in more than $200 million in uncollected tolls.

The legislation would aim to establish a criminal trespassing offense for any driver who operates a vehicle on the turnpike while under active suspension for unpaid toll violations. Additionally, it would create an offense for theft of toll road services for repeat offenders who continue using the system while suspended for prior toll-related violations.

The legislation would add a serious fare evasion offense, punishable up to a felony of the third degree, for drivers who accrue more than $10,000 in unpaid tolls.

“The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a critical part of our commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure system, and the revenue generated through the automation of toll services is one way to maintain it,” Kim Ward said. “While the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission collects more than 90% of its tolls, recent data shows that more than $200 million went unpaid, which means taxpayers are footing the bill.

“This legislation aims to crack down on egregious offenders that racket up thousands in unpaid tolls to ensure that honest toll payers and taxpayers are not burdened with the fiduciary responsibility for frequent toll evaders.”

The bill would require the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to submit an annual report detailing trends in toll enforcement, collection efforts and the number of vehicles that face additional enforcement actions due to continuing to drive with a registration suspended for outstanding toll obligations.

“The Pennsylvania Turnpike is one of our commonwealth’s most important transportation assets, but persistent toll evasion undermines its financial stability and shifts costs onto law-abiding motorists,” Judy Ward said. “This legislation equips the Turnpike Commission with modern enforcement tools to hold repeat offenders accountable and recover millions in unpaid tolls.”

The legislation would also aim to improve invoice delivery and communication methods, including expanded use of email and expedited mail services.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike spans around 565 miles across the state and operates mainly with electronic tolling and open road tolling operations.

E-ZPass customers receive a 50% discount for traveling on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, while travelers without E-ZPass receive higher invoices in the mail under the Turnpike Commission’s Toll-By-Plate program. To get a Pennsylvania E-ZPass, state residents can go to https://www.paturnpike.com/ezpass.

Turnpike tolls jumped by 4% this year and fares are projected to continue increasing through 2050. Toll rates have increased in each of the past 17 years.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission blamed the fare increases on its requirement under Act 44 to pay PennDOT $450 million a year. That total has since dropped, and the turnpike commission since 2022 has given PennDOT $50 million a year and used the toll increases to pay down debt.

TribLive contributed to this article.

“This legislation aims to crack down on egregious offenders that racket up thousands in unpaid tolls to ensure that honest toll payers and taxpayers are not burdened with the fiduciary responsibility for frequent toll evaders.”