It's called shunpiking.
But here's the tradeoff. This route: 298 miles, 8:44 driving time. Paythroughthenosepike: 306 miles, 6:03 driving time.
Posted on 01/04/2009 8:15:34 PM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
People who use the Pennsylvania Turnpike will now have to shell out more cash for that privilege.
The toll fee for all drivers went up by 25 percent on Sunday, part of a plan that has been a long time in the making.
WFMZ's Jackie Shutack talked to drivers whose ire was raised, along with those tolls.
George Moyer/pittston: (gasps) "6 bucks -- it used to be to go down to Philly, now it's 8, that's ridiculous!"
Luke witts, jr.:quakertown: "It's going to be tough."
Ira goosay/scranton: "I thought the rate they had was pretty high."
Greg strus/quakertown: "We just went to visit my mom in Wilkes Barre - we paid $3.25 coming up, now we're paying $4.10 coming back, it's ridiculous."
Reporter: PennDOT officials explain the toll increase will help pay for repair projects.
Carl defebo/PennDOT: "90% of the monies from this increase, will be used by PennDOT to finance off turnpike road and bridge projects as well as mass transit operations across Pennsylvania."
Reporter: From exit to exit, passenger vehicle drivers will now pay 95 cents instead of 75 cents. Many drivers are now plotting alternate routes in order to avoid shelling out the extra cash.
"I've figured out ways around the turnpike---- to get down to Philly, there aren't too many ways around the turnpike."
Alice jones/maryland: "Probably not use the turnpike as much."
“... promised that the toll was only temporary, until the road was paid for.”
I was just going to bring this up but I cannot find a link to support this claim. My dad said this was the case though.
I was listening to Bob Durgin’s show on WHP580 one day a few months ago and either he or a guest host mentioned casually that the state legislators got their wives jobs on the state lottery commission and for their mistresses spots on the turnpike commission. A transcript of that show would likely add a lot of context to this thread.
Where is the road cut in your photo?
The remaining 10% will go.....??? Straight into the coffers of the state Democratic Party?
My mom was born in Pittsburgh in the 1920's, and I honestly couldn't tell you when the turnpike actually opened, but that's what she told me.
The thought of today's government keeping their word on such a thing is a joke.
My amazing psychic powers tell me that there will be griping about it for a few weeks, and then The Sheep will pay it and accept it as part of life in Socialist Amerika.
Because that’s what The Sheep want. And that’s what The Sheep do.
Ping!
“I’ve figured out ways around the turnpike—— to get down to Philly, there aren’t too many ways around the turnpike.”
I hate to tell these a**holes the PA turnpike doesn’t go to Philly.
I have no clue where they think they are, but a good guess would be they are the clueless a**hole in front of me blocking the road.
The PA turnpike is also the oldest “interstate” type highway in the US. They figured out after building the pike that curves should be laid out on a circle and not follow the lay of the land, a bigger problem in the western section of the pike.
Son lives in York, PA. I live in Somerset, PA. toll on PA. pike was $7.75 now almost $10.00 one way...so I have been taking Rt. 31 and 30 a beautiful drive, but curvy, in any season...just drove it today and very little traffic and I enjoy the change from montinous turnpikes...
they have seen the last of my $$$ on the Fast Eddie Speedway...
Many years ago I read a newspaper account of the political origins of the Turnpike Commision.
You know how long term memory behaves after the mid-term so don’t take this to the bank, but...
After a study proved it was possible the road once planned as a state project turned into a quasi-state project when politically connected movers and shakers at the judge level and above saw it’s potential.
They did kick in money back then but once it was set up the operating expenses were passed on to the taxpayers. I believe the State Police force was enlarged so they could police the Turnpike.
The original investing family’s started receiving non-stop dividends almost immediately. I can’t say they are still receiving the money but what the heck, it’s Pennsylvania. Some things are just taken for granted.
And yes, the promise was that once the cost was paid off the toll booths would come down.
Glad I don't live in PA.
Mark
The memory is fading, but I could swear that there was a time long ago when there was no construction anywhere on the eastern end of the turnpike (King of P. to NJ). I doubt I will ever live to see that day again.
Angry boycotters = more room for me. I average 75-80 mph on the parts I travel. I’ll gladly pay a little extra to get rid of the riffraff.
It's called shunpiking.
But here's the tradeoff. This route: 298 miles, 8:44 driving time. Paythroughthenosepike: 306 miles, 6:03 driving time.
I had to go in the reststop to get something to eat last week, and I'm not doing it again. If you have to go on the turnpike, it's better to take your own sandwiches.
They said that about some of the toll bridges too.
You're probably right.
Where I live north of Allentown, we do take the turnpike (Northeast Extension) to get to the dreaded Schuylkill Expressway and eventually Phila.
Yep. Downingtown to Morgantown — 13 miles — is now 95 cents for me. Jerks.
Don’t bet on it.
76 is the main east west Interstate in PA.. 80 is the other and its free, but 80 is further north and kept in very poor condition.
The legislature modified the Turnpike revenues, with this raise funds raised are no longer expressly for the turnpike, but now are to fund infrastructure projects throughout the state.
They raised the rates very significantly a few years back, traffic didn’t move. Its a captive route, that nails more travelers than pennsylvanians, so they know they can get away with the rate hikes at will for the most part. Oh and the other thing is, now they won’t have to wait years between bills authorizing hikes, the last bill granted automatic hikes annually up to 3%.
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