|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2012
|
|
Maine Turnpike Reminds Customers of Thursday Toll Increase
Maine E-ZPass Rates to Increase Only 1 cent per mile
PORTLAND, Maine – The Maine Turnpike Authority is reminding customers that cash and Maine E-ZPass toll rates are set to go up for some trips at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, November 1. The MTA Board in August unanimously approved a plan to raise an additional $21.14 million annually in toll revenue to continue a 30-year plan to maintain and rehabilitate the Turnpike’s network of bridges, interchanges and pavement and well as pay off existing debt.
Cash tolls will increase at mainline toll plazas in York, New Gloucester and West Gardiner. Drivers will now pay $3 instead of $2 in York, those traveling through New Gloucester will pay $2.25 cash instead of $1.75 and West Gardiner will increase from $1.25 to $1.75 in cash. Tolls for motorists traveling north from Exit 19 in Wells and south from Exit 63 in Gray will increase from $1 to $1.50 cash. Travelers paying cash when entering and exiting all other side tolls and entering the Turnpike from I-295 in Gardiner will not be affected.
Most Maine E-ZPass customers, however, will see only an average increase of 1 cent per-mile starting Thursday. Many E-ZPass trips on the Turnpike cost less than cash and even greater discounts up to 25% or 50% will now be automatically credited to E-ZPass customers who make over 30 and 40 one-way trips respectively in a month.
With the new rates - the full length cash trip from York to Augusta will increase from $5.00 to $7.00 while the most-common cash toll for a standard commercial-truck (Class 5) will rise from $20.00 to $28.00. The Class 5 Maine E-ZPass rate will increase to $25.80. The increase will be applied to all vehicle classes. Even after a toll adjustment the Turnpike will remain among the lowest priced toll roads in the U.S.
Turnpike Director Peter Mills said by raising Maine E-ZPass rates only 1 cent per mile and offering up to a 50% discount for frequent travelers, the Turnpike Board is easing the economic impact of a toll increase. "Two out of every three Mainers already use E-ZPass and will pay less than cash for many trips and get up to half off tolls if they travel the Pike daily," he explained.
Besides Maine, E-ZPass can be used in 14 other states - including New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. To sign up for E-ZPass, visit the Maine Turnpike headquarters located off the Portland Jetport (Exit 46), visit MaineTurnpike.com or call toll free 1-888-MTA-PASS (1-888-682-7277).