PENNSYLVANIA — A bill created in response to a Channel 11 Investigation has sped over its first hurdle.
House Bill 2139 was introduced to help increase transparency for E-ZPass penalty fees, which was in response to our investigation “Not so E-ZPass” last fall.
On Tuesday, the bill passed unanimously when it came up for a vote before the House Transportation Committee.
The bill will now move forward to the full House for consideration and then the Senate.
11 investigates discovered turnpike customers who were blindsided with $10 charges called V-tolls when their transponders failed to work when they went through toll plazas.
The penalty drives up the cost for tolls going shorter distances. For example, a one-exit toll that typically cost $1.60 would end up costing drivers six times as much.
“Ten dollars a clip to go from here to Irwin. That’s one exit!” E-ZPass customer Tony Carlisano angrily told 11 Investigates last year.
To make matters worse, 11 Investigates learned the turnpike was not notifying drivers they were being charged V-tolls. V-tolls are typically result from improperly placed transponders or malfunctioning equipment.
After seeing our investigation, State Representative Ryan Warner introduced HB 2139 in December to require the turnpike to start notifying customers about the charges.
“Honestly, Angie, it was thanks to your investigative reporting that brought to light how many people were having issues with these V-tolls, without any notice or even knowing that V-tolls existed,” Warner told Channel 11′s Angie Moreschi on why he filed the bill.
What the new law would do
The new legislation, which has nearly two dozen bipartisan co-sponsors, calls for notice to be sent to any E-ZPass account holder the first time they incur a V-toll in the calendar year, in a method selected by the account holder, like email or regular mail.
The notice would also explain typical causes for V-tolls, like improper placement and faulty equipment, and tell customers how to address those problems. It would make clear that if the customer fails to fix the problem, it could result in more V-tolls and administrative fees.
The bill would also require the turnpike to put a clear description on a customer’s account each month that they receive a V-toll and establish an appeals process for customers to challenge V-tolls.
“To have some type of notification through email or mail telling you you’ve been charged with it, describing what it is and letting you know you can appeal it, I think goes a long way for the customer,” Warner said. “I look forward to getting this passed so customers have a fair shot at knowing they’re being charged the fee.”
Tougher penalties for scofflaws
The bill would also strengthen the turnpike’s ability to go after drivers who owe significant amounts in unpaid tolls, especially those trying to cheat the turnpike, like people who deliberately obscure their license plates.
Unpaid tolls became a big issue for the turnpike in 2021 when an audit revealed it failed to collect $104 million in tolls after all-electronic tolling, called Toll-by-Plate, was implemented.
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