Turnpike takes in $20M more than last year
After increasing tolls earlier this year, the Maine Turnpike has taken in an extra $19.7 million, a figure just shy of projections made before the increase last August.
The Portland Press Herald reported the latest numbers show some evidence that drivers avoided toll exchanges where the cost of passage increased, but overall traffic on the Maine Turnpike was higher in 2013 than one year prior.
The rate changes also resulted in a shift toward out-of-state travelers paying more of the overall turnpike revenue. The latest figures show 63% of turnpike revenue came from out-of-state drivers, compared with 57% in 2012. Overall, 41% of the toll traffic for 2013 came through the southernmost York toll plaza.
The increases to tolls at plazas in York, New Gloucester, West Gardiner, Wells and Gray were also accompanied by discounts for E-ZPass users who travel frequently, which Maine Turnpike Authority Executive Director Peter Mills said saved those drivers $6.4 million compared with last year.
Mills told the paper the latest toll increase should allow the turnpike to avoid other increases for the foreseeable future and meet its capital needs with revenue from travelers.
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