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Good Day, Members:
It’s been almost a year since PennDOT’s P3 board approved its “Pathways Major Bridge P3 Initiative” and the tolling of bridges on interstates across the Commonwealth. As you know, PBA has been fighting this initiative since November because of the devastating impact these tolls will have on the motorcoach, travel and tourism industries in the state.
Now is the time for PBA members to reach out to your state representative and ask them to support SB 382 to stop bridge tolling!
Over the course of a year, PBA has sent letters to legislators, issued press releases, published op-eds in local newspapers, and submitted testimony to House and Senate committees about the consequences of targeting an industry that already pays more than its fair share to operate on Pennsylvania roadways and additional tolls would only add to that increasing cost. Pennsylvania has the second highest fuel taxes in the entire U.S. and in addition, has one of the highest costs to register a commercial vehicle in this nation. A bus with a seating capacity of 52 or more costs $834 annually, while a passenger vehicle is only $39 annually.
PBA and its members have also spoken to elected officials about the impact of bridge tolling on their businesses. However, there is more work to do and we need your help.
In April, the state Senate passed Senate Bill 382 (Summary), a bill introduced by Senator Wayne Langerholc, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, which would stop the bridge tolling initiative and require future PennDOT tolling projects to be approved by the legislature. After passing the Senate, the bill moved to the state House where the House Transportation Committee has had two hearings on the bridge tolling initiative, yet still has not scheduled a vote on SB 382. It is critically important that PBA members contact their state House member NOW and ask them to urge a vote on SB 382.
Find your representative here and give their office a call or send a message: Find Your Legislator - PA General Assembly (state.pa.us).
Read John Bailey’s testimony before the House Transportation Committee, which can be used as talking points.
Lawmakers want to hear from their constituents on issues that matter to them. Please don’t miss this opportunity to let them know how tolling will affect our industry and your business!
Thank you!
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