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        by Diane M. Cooper

WITH ONLINE ACCOUNT INFORMATION SYSTEM, ORGANIZATIONS CAN NOW ACCESS DETAILED ACCOUNT INFORMATION VIA THE TURNPIKE'S WEB SITE.

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The Pennsylvania Turnpike's commercial credit card program makes travel easy for commercial drivers and the companies who employ them by eliminating the need to pay cash for tolls and by providing detailed monthly usage statements - as well as discounts of up to 20 percent. Now, with the introduction of a commercial account information system to the Turnpike's web site, the commercial credit card program is even more convenient.

By clicking on the "Commercial Account Information" button on the Turnpike's home page - www.paturnpike.com - commercial account holders can register to access monthly charge reports via the Internet. Password protected, this free service helps companies, associations and government agencies maintain records and monitor credit-card usage.

When users log on to the new commercial account information system, they can view, print, and download monthly detailed or summarized toll transactions. The information provided each month includes a listing of the individual card numbers, vehicle class, entry and exit information including interchanges used along with the respective dates and times, and the fare amount for each individual transaction. Six months of the most recent data is available online.

A "Contact Us" feature provides commercial customers with timely responses to questions, comments or requests regarding their account. A "Help" tool is also available to assist those who are having problems registering their account, accessing information, or downloading data.

"The web site has enabled us to increase the level of service to our customers, and they in turn have responded very favorably to our program," said Business Development Manager Michael Schubert, who noted that thousands of commercial cars and trucks utilize credit cards each day to pay tolls. "Our goal is for all commercial accounts to access their transactions from our web site."

Schubert explained that the commercial account site helps the Turnpike reduce operating costs, using less paper, postage and staff time for administration. Before the Internet site was introduced, paper reports were generated and sent to the companies via U.S. Postal Service. During the first month of this new program, paper usage for the reports was decreased by 50 percent. Postage costs were also significantly reduced.

The commercial credit card program is open to commercial carriers and businesses that charge a minimum of $1,000 a year in Turnpike tolls.
In addition to the new commercial account information system, a wide array of additional information is available on the Turnpike's web site that may be of particular interest to commercial carriers and other fleet-operating businesses:
  • The new "Trucking Information" section explains the Turnpike's commercial credit card program in detail, and it supplies viewers with the forms needed to apply. This section also includes information on transporting placarded loads on the Turnpike and the rules for over-dimensional vehicles.
  • An interactive Turnpike travel map details the Pennsylvania Turnpike along with major connecting routes, limited access and interstate highways, major Pennsylvania cities accessible via the Turnpike, and service-plaza locations - along with a listing of the services offered at each particular plaza.
  • Toll and mileage calculators allow motorists to figure the cost and distance of their trip before the leave.
  • Other useful items include monthly construction schedules, toll-free telephone numbers for roadway and weather conditions, and travel advisories.
  • New features planned for the future include an emergency information notification system, current roadway and weather conditions, and a detailed construction map.


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The Pennsylvania Turnpike is the highway of choice for millions of commercial vehicles. By providing easy access to all major Pennsylvania markets and connecting interstate routes, the Turnpike saves companies time, fuel, and money. Each year, more and more commercial carriers and other companies are choosing the Pennsylvania Turnpike as their preferred route. Last year, more than 18 million commercial vehicles traveled on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. That's nearly 50,000 per day!

If you are interested in opening a commercial account with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and would like additional information, visit our web site at www.paturnpike.com. Companies without internet access can contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-331-3414.