News

Change in the air: Maine Turnpike looks at cash-free tolls

Change in the air: Maine Turnpike looks at cash-free tolls

Photo: clipart.com


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Change is in the air, and it’s leaving the toll booths.

That’s because the Maine Turnpike Authority is looking to go cashless. Highway officials in the state told the Portland Press Herald on Wednesday they are looking at electronic collection systems.

Turnpike Authority Executive Director Peter Mills told the Press Herald the authority is taking less cash at toll booths because of more and more drivers adopting E-ZPass. Cash tolls made up more than three-quarters of the turnpike’s revenue 20 years ago. That number fell to 15% last year.

The authority does not have a hard deadline of when it plans to eliminate cash tolls. It also doesn’t have a plan to replace them, and Mills said it could be four years or more before cash collection is gone.

Maine’s move away from cash is part of a national trend. The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association has said 55% of all tolled miles are cashless.

Latest Headlines

2 hours ago in Local

Anthem requests extension of deadline as negotiations with Northern Light stall

Updated

A spokesperson for Anthem insurance says the company has requested that Northern Light Health extend a deadline for reimbursement negotiations.

2 hours ago in Local

Lockdown lifted at SMCC in South Portland after police respond to person in crisis

Updated

A lockdown and shelter-in-place order has been lifted at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland.

4 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Nicole Kidman files for divorce from Keith Urban after 19 years of marriage

The 58-year-old Oscar-winning actor petitioned on Tuesday to end her marriage to the 57-year-old Grammy winning country singer in a Nashville court. The documents state the couple has undergone "marital difficulties and irreconcilable differences."

11 hours ago in Local

Portland Police Looking for Man Missing for a Month

Officers did not say where the man was last seen.

1 day ago in Local

Fiery Scarborough Crash Caught on Video

Crews quickly stretched a hose line and had water on the flames within moments.