October 4, 2000

 

E-Z Pass Legislation Moves Through House Transportation Committee, Thanks to Bard

 

HARRISBURG - Massive traffic congestion at suburban Philadelphia turnpike tollbooths is near to being alleviated after the House Transportation Committee approved E-Z Pass legislation this week at the request of Montgomery County lawmaker Rep. Ellen M. Bard (R-153).

During a committee meeting, Bard made a motion for her colleagues to consider Senate Bill 1477 and a technical amendment to the bill. The legislation provides for the creation and implementation of the E-Z Pass system. The committee unanimously passed the measure.

According to the committee’s chairman, Rep. Rick Geist (R-Altoona), Bard has been integral to the shepherding of E-Z Pass legislation through the legislative process.

“Rep. Bard has been a leader on the committee in advancing E-Z Pass legislation in order to reduce traffic congestion along the areas of the turnpike closest to tollbooths, particularly those in suburban Philadelphia,” Geist said.

E-Z Pass is a toll payment system that will allow turnpike patrons to pay fares with prepaid customer accounts, thus eliminating the hassle of stopping once for a ticket and then again to pay cash. E-Z Pass commuters will be able use the new system on sections of the Pennsylvania Turnpike beginning Dec. 2.

Bard says she expects the new system will help to relieve some of the congestion at turnpike entrances and exits in Montgomery County.

Commuters can sign up for E-Z Pass by calling 1-877-PENN-PASS or by logging on to the turnpike’s Web site at www.paturnpike.com .

“The E-Z Pass system will make turnpike travel much more convenient, and drivers traveling into other states will be able to use their E-Z Pass throughout much of the Northeast,” Bard said.

Within Pennsylvania, E-Z Pass will be operational Dec. 2 for passenger vehicles traveling along the east-west mainline of the turnpike between Exits 18 (Harrisburg West) and Exit 30 (Delaware River Bridge), as well as between interchanges 25A (Mid-County) and 33 (Lehigh Valley) on the Northeastern Extension. These “commuter highway” sections of the turnpike carry 64 percent of turnpike customers on a daily basis. Ninety percent of that traffic is composed of passenger vehicles.

By 2001, the turnpike expects passenger vehicles will be able to use E-Z Pass along the entire 470-mile toll road. Sometime during 2002, the system will accommodate commercial vehicles as well. The turnpike's ultimate goal is to have E-Z Pass on all fare collection systems by the end of 2002.

E-Z Pass customers will receive a radio frequency transmitter device called a transponder, or tag, which is roughly the size of a deck of cards. The transponder enables the toll to be collected electronically when the vehicle exits the turnpike. A video enforcement system will be installed to capture the license plates images of violators who use the system without a valid tag or transponder.

Bard expects the House to approve the E-Z Pass legislation as early as next Tuesday, after which the measure would be returned to the Senate for concurrence with House amendments.