The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has approved a five percent toll increase for both E-ZPass and Toll by Plate customers for the next year, writes Nate Doughty for the Philadelphia Business Journal.

This marks the thirteenth yearly toll increase since 2009, when consecutive annual increases began.

The new tolls will come into effect at 12:01 a.m. on January 2, 2022. All tolls other than those on the Southern Beltway to the west of Pittsburgh will go up. The most common toll increase will be from $1.60 to $1.70 for E-ZPass customers. 

Toll by Plate customers will see a rise from $3.90 to $4.10.

The increase is necessary due to debt obligations the Turnpike has toward the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for transit operations, said the commission.

The final annual payment of $450 million will be made later this month, after which obligations will fall to $50 million per year.

“Today’s action is the first time in six years that the rate of increase is under 6 percent,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “We are seeing a light at the end of this very long tunnel.”

Read more about PA Turnpike Commission in the Philadelphia Business Journal.