It may be common sense to some, but the Pennsylvania Turnpike Authority is reporting that they’ve seen a decrease in traffic over the last four years– about the time the tolls began to increase. Â While many are pointing the finger at increased tolls, the Turnpike Authority is pointing the finger at the recession.
According to TribLive News, since 2009, tolls have increased 35% for E-ZPass customers and a whopping 71% for cash-paying customers.
As the cost of tolls has risen, the number of trucks passing though has fallen. Â In 2008, more than 11,000 trucks passed through the Pennsylvania Turnpike a day. Â Now only 10,000 trucks drive the Pennsylvania Turnpike each day.
“As of Sunday, drivers operating Class 7 trucks — tractor-trailers between 62,001 and 80,000 pounds — will pay nearly $145 to go between the Warrendale toll plaza in Allegheny County and the Delaware River Bridge in Bucks County, compared with $107 in 2008. Those paying cash will cough up almost $184,” TribLiveNews reported.
What do you think, drivers, is the decline in traffic a result of recession or tolls? Â Do you factor tolls into your route choice?
Read more about this at TribLiveNews.