The Pennsylvania Turnpike is sticking with the cashless system instituted due to COVID-19 which means approximately 500 employees will lose their jobs.
Toll collectors and fare-collection personnel are no longer needed with the new All-Electronic Tolling system instituted by the Turnpike Commission on March 16th.
“PA Turnpike Commissioners unanimously approved a personnel action that sadly results in layoffs of around 500 employees, mainly toll collectors,” Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said. “I truly regret that we’ve reached that decision, but the world has been forever changed by this global pandemic.”
The Turnpike originally anticipated that the layoffs would take place in early 2022 but the coronavirus shutdown caused traffic to decline by more than 50% and toll revenues by more than $100 million resulting in even greater financial difficulty than the Turnpike was already facing.
“Today, we cannot risk returning into cash collections,” Compton said. “Drivers are now accustomed to traveling through toll plazas without stopping and reverting to a hybrid system, could put drivers and employees at higher risks of accidents and injuries. We could also see a virus resurgence.”
Employees will be able to retain certain health benefits for up to 24 months in layoff status.