Pennsylvania Turnpike lays off 500 workers, makes all-electronic tolling permanent
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will lay off 500 employees and make permanent the all-electronic tolling that was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Layoffs will begin June 18, primarily in toll and fare collection, officials said in a news release Tuesday.
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The cash-free system was put into place March 16 at the oubtreak of coronavirus to limit contact between drivers and toll collectors.
Traffic plummeted because of the pandemic by almost 50% since March compared to 2019 and toll revenues dropped by more than $100 million for the fiscal year ending May 31, the release said.
— Ron Musselman can be reached at rmusselman@yorkdispatch.com or via Twitter at @ronmusselman8.