Could Pa. Turnpike phase out toll takers?

The Pennsylvania Turnpike wants to know if toll booths with people in them are a thing of the past.  The  turnpike is funding a study to explore whether all tolls could be collected electronically.

 

A cashless turnpike will still charge tolls, but for those without EZ-Pass transponders, a photo of their license plate would be taken and either a bill would be sent or money deducted from a pre-established account.  Carl De Febo, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, says if this happens, it will take a while.

 

“I think we are years away from it, this is just an initial step to see number one is it feasible, number two if it is feasible how much would it cost and how would you do it,” DeFebo said.

 

He says the key to the change would be saving money.  “Certainly the turnpike commission could realize significant cost savings by a conversion and keep a lid on the annual toll increases,” he said.

 

There is no plan at this point on what would happen to the toll takers if they are replaced by machines.