[WPTA] Fw: E-ZPass customers like you saved $500 million since 2009

Tue Oct 22 08:55:49 MDT 2019

E-ZPass customers like you saved $500 million since 2009Just a heads up to my fellow WPTA folks. If you don’t have an EZ PASS when you enter PA from Ohio you’ll be sent a bill for $12.20 in the mail as they are going cashless at the entry. $5.50 if you have EZ PASS. Even with EZ PASS I often take Ohio 7 to 14 and then 51 to I-376 especially when going anywhere in the South Hills.
Pretty sneaky move on the part of the PA Pike whose fees are already among the highest if not the highest. Also if you do go through the entry gate to PA and then decide to to take I-376 off the PA Pike you’ll get hit with another “cashless fee” over and above the $12.20 you just spent to travel a few miles on I-76. 
Click on the below notes about PA going cashless at the Ohio border with PA.

From: The Ohio Turnpike & Infrastructure Commission 
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2019 9:46 AM
To: GERALD VANVLACK 
Subject: E-ZPass customers like you saved $500 million since 2009

            October 2019          

                  In This Newsletter 
                  Teen video winners 
                  $500 million in savings 
                  PA Turnpike goes cashless at Ohio border 

            Congratulations to our #W82TXT teen video winners! 

            Because everybody loves a winner, it is my honor and privilege to do something really fun this month--name the winners of our W82TXT Teen Video Contest.

            But first I'd like to thank our readers who cast their votes for their favorite videos. We received more than 2,500 votes.

            Our contest for students in grades 9-12 corresponded with what's become known as the "100 Deadliest Days" for teens between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 

            This contest, in tandem with our Red Thumb Band Campaign, is aimed at reducing distracted driving by novice drivers who think they can multitask without consequences.

            The top three vote-getters choose from these great prizes!

              a.. GoPro video camera 
              b.. Apple iPad 
              c.. $250 Amazon Gift Card 
            The grand prize winner, Sam Holter, also receives a check for $500 to donate to a booster club at Boardman High School in Youngstown, where he attends. CLICK below to see the winning videos.

            Ferzan M. Ahmed, P.E. 
            Executive Director

            #W82TXT (Grand Prize Winner) by Sam Holter  

            In One Snap (Runner-up) by Bailey Smith & Morgan Snodgrass 

            Don't Text and Drive (2nd Runner-up) by Ella Langenderfer 

            E-ZPass customers have saved a whopping $500 million  

            Over the years, October 1st has historical significance for both the Ohio Turnpike and the E-ZPass program. This month was no different. 

            While the Ohio Turnpike begins its 65th year of operation, the E-ZPass program has reached 10 years of service to you, our valued customer.

            Over the past decade, E-ZPass customers have saved approximately $500 million on tolls compared to cash- and credit-paying customers. With savings like this, don't forget to tell family members and friends about the program.

            If you ever have questions about your account, our Customer Service Center is available to assist each weekday. Simply give us a call at 440-971-2222 or send us an email.

            Marty Seekely
            Chief Financial Officer

            Public Wi-Fi expands inside all Service Plazas next month 

            Ohio Turnpike customers will be as happy to hear this news as we are to deliver it. Yes, we are providing a consistent public Wi-Fi access experience for our customers inside all 14 Service Plazas across the Ohio Turnpike.

            The new service will be accessible in time for the Thanksgiving holiday travel weekend for checking up on emails, internet surfing and whatever else you may need to do while taking a break at one of our service plazas.

            All you will need to enjoy this service is your smartphone or laptop. Connect your device and enjoy!

            Brian Kelley
            Chief Technology Officer

            Trooper honored for saving distraught woman's life   

            Having the courage to do the right thing to keep the public safe is not something to be taken lightly or easily assumed by even the bravest among us.

            On May 28, Trooper Corey J. Linser was traveling west on the Ohio Turnpike when he noticed a female pedestrian sitting on the ledge of the US Route 20 overpass in Maumee, Ohio.

            He contacted the Cleveland Dispatch Center to advise of a possible suicidal person. Trooper Linser approached the individual in his patrol car, activated his emergency lights and used his spotlight to get a better look at her. He used the car's speaker to communicate with her.

            When she began to walk away, Trooper Linser approached the young woman on foot. Suddenly, she darted into traffic and into the center lane. He selflessly ran after her and was able to remove her from the road as a passing vehicle went by them in the far left lane. Trooper Linser showed great compassion to the young woman by keeping her calm from that point forward until paramedics arrived.

            For his actions, Trooper Linser was presented a Certificate of Recognition from Patrol Major Charles A. Jones, District Commander John C. Altman and Swanton Post Commander Lt. Vern E. Fisher. 

            VIEW THE NEWS COVERAGE by Toledo's 13abc.

            Staff Lt. William Haymaker
            Turnpike Liaison

            VIDEO: Our eyes in the sky catch extreme speeders 

            As we have pointed before, the Ohio State Highway Patrol conducts speed enforcement on the Ohio Turnpike. 

            A significant part of the effort is from the air as Trooper Bryan Dail spots speeders and radios down to his fellow Troopers on the ground who cite the suspected violators.

            On Aug. 31, a Saturday, for example, a number of motorists were caught traveling at excessive and dangerous speeds. In fact, there were 53 citations issued to drivers who were traveling more than 90 mph and three drivers were cited for speeds in excess of 100 mph!

            When you realize that speeding is the number one reason people are involved in a crash, it's easy to see that this behavior is ill-advised and it will be caught. For the vast majority who obey the speed limit, thank you for keeping yourself and the rest of us safe.

            PA Turnpike going cashless at Ohio border eastbound  

            For customers who enter Pennsylvania from Ohio, please be advised the Pennsylvania Turnpike is converting to cashless tolls at the Ohio border on Oct. 27, 2019.

            Currently, the cash toll entering the Gateway Toll Plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike from Ohio is $7.90 and the E-ZPass rate is $5.50. The cash option will be replaced by toll-by-plate technology.

            The conversion to cashless tolling at this location means customers will no longer need to stop to pay their tolls. The new cashless toll cost on Oct. 27 will be $12.20. The E-ZPass rate will be $5.90.

            For customers without an E-ZPass transponder, the PA Turnpike will take a picture of the customer's license plate, generate an invoice and mail it to the owner of the vehicle. 

            Customers are advised to establish an E-ZPass account if they haven't done so already--to take advantage of the discount that becomes even more important for those who travel to the Keystone State.

            The Eastbound Gateway Toll Plaza at the Pa. border will be going cashless on Oct. 27.

            National Teen Driver Safety Week spurs conversations 

            This week and every week, parents are encouraged to have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel.

            These rules address the greatest dangers for teen drivers: alcohol, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted and drowsy driving, speeding, and number of passengers.

            The problem: 

              a.. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States - ahead of all other types of injury, disease, or violence. 
              b.. There were 1,972 teen drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2015. An estimated 99,000 teen passenger vehicle drivers were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. 
            National Teen Driver Safety Week is Oct. 20-26.

            In Ohio, 16-year-olds may not drive with more than one non-family passenger unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or legal custodian. At age 17, the driver may have no more passengers than there are seat belts in the vehicle.   

            VIDEO: Snow & Ice Inspection Week across Ohio Turnpike shows readiness for Old Man Winter 

            Ohio Turnpike crews made final preparations for the upcoming winter season last week, with comprehensive winter equipment inspections at eight Maintenance Garages along the 241-mile mainline. 

            “When winter storm events hit, the women and men of our maintenance operations will work the hours necessary, including weekends and holidays, to ensure that our customers are provided with safe and reliable travel,” said Chris Matta, Deputy Chief Engineer for the Ohio Turnpike.

            “Snow and Ice control is a top priority for our staff.  Those responsible for completing snow and ice operations do so with a sense of pride and are dedicated to making sure the reputation of the Ohio Turnpike’s program continues each season."

            Approximately 100 snowplows will be available at any given moment to maintain the 1,395 lane miles, 31 interchanges, and 14 service plazas on the Ohio Turnpike.  Crews use an average of 66,000 tons of salt each year and 170,000 gallons of liquid chemicals per year.

            Chris Matta
            Deputy Chief Engineer

            Luciane Honorio of Springfield, Missouri writes:

            "I'd like to thank you all for supporting truck drivers. I am a truck driver and I love to stop at Ohio Turnpike Service Plazas. Great food, showers, and a lot of semi parking spaces. From the bottom of my heart--thank you!"

            You said it!

                 The Ohio Turnpike opened for business across all 241 miles on Oct. 1, 1955. 

            Stay informed on changing traffic patterns due to accidents, work zones and construction delays,
            E-ZPass® updates and other Turnpike news by following us on Twitter and Facebook.

            Copyright © 2019 Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, All rights reserved.
            You are receiving this email because you have a past relationship with the
            Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission. 

            Published by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission,
            Ferzan M. Ahmed, P.E., Executive Director
            Adam Greenslade, Director of Government Affairs, Marketing and Communications
            Questions or suggestions? Contact Brian Newbacher, Editor, brian.newbacher at ohioturnpike.org. 

            Our mailing address is:
            Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission
            682 Prospect Street
            Berea, OH 44017
            440-234-2081 

            Add us to your address book
            Unsubscribe from this list     Update subscription preferences 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://autox.team.net/pipermail/wpta/attachments/20191022/83cf0502/attachment-0001.htm>