December 13, 2024 Media Advisory

Preparation for PA Turnpike Customers Ahead of Open Road Tolling Launch


Preparation for PA Turnpike Customers Ahead of Open Road Tolling Launch

ORT Launches east of Reading Jan. 5, 2025, and across full mainline in 2027.

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — Next month, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) launches one of its most transformative projects in the highway’s history with Open Road Tolling (ORT). As its launch date approaches, the PA Turnpike is encouraging customers to take the following steps to support a seamless transition: 

  • E-ZPass customers should properly mount their transponder at all times;
  • Pre-registered Toll by Plate customers or an E-ZPass customers should keep their vehicles, license plates and credit card information up-to-date on their accounts;
  • Open an E-ZPass account to take advantage of the most cost-effective way to travel on the PA Turnpike 

Open Road Tolling (ORT) is the culmination of the PA Turnpike’s decade-long journey to modernize operations on our 565+ miles of roadway. In the ORT system, tolls are charged electronically as customers drive at highway speeds beneath overhead structures, called gantries, without slowing down or stopping at toll booths. Equipment on the gantry and in the roadway classifies and identifies the vehicle and electronically processes tolls, allowing for free-flowing traffic: which reduces accidents, improves the environment, and allows new access points. 

ORT will launch on the mainline PA Turnpike east of Reading along with the Northeast Extension beginning Jan. 5, 2025, and statewide in Jan. 2027. Where gantries are not yet operational, tolls will still be charged to a customer as an interchange-to-interchange trip but based on the new rate structure. Due to changes in rate structure and vehicle classification, 84% of E-ZPass trips will see a toll decrease or an increase of less than $1 in 2025 compared to 2024 rates. See 2025 rates and calculate the cost for your route along the PA Turnpike with our Toll Calculator. 

Here are some tips and advice for E-ZPass customers to ensure billing is seamless and accurate.

• Clean the area on the windshield before mounting.
• Press firmly when mounting.
• Regularly monitor to make sure the mounting is still in place.
• Call Customer Service if you have any questions or suspect your transponder may need replaced.
• Let us know if you have any exterior features that may be impacting your transponder.
• DO NOT place the transponder vertically.
• DO NOT mount it inside of black dots or the shaded area on your windshield.
• DO NOT manually hold the transponder.

 FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY

The PA Turnpike Media Relations team is available for in-person interviews/demonstration interviews on the importance of E-ZPass mounting with the launch of ORT.

 IN-PERSON LOCATIONS/DATES:

Eastern Regional Office
251 Flint Hill Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
 
Monday, Dec. 16
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary
Central Administration Building
700 S. Eisenhower Blvd, Middletown, PA 17057
 
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Crispin Havener, Asst. Press Sec.
Western Regional Office
2200 North Center Avenue
New Stanton, PA 15672
 
Monday, Dec. 16
Crispin Havener, Asst. Press Sec.

 Virtual/Phone interviews are also available and later dates. Please RSVP with Marissa or Crispin to set a time and whether you would prefer in-person or virtual/call. 

A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike.

Video of how to properly mount your E-ZPass transponder can be found here. (Download link available in information tab)

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Media Contacts:

Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: (267) 408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com 

Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: (717) 870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com