A Message from Florida’s Turnpike Executive Director

As the new Executive Director of Florida's Turnpike I appreciate the opportunity to write this column. Florida's Turnpike Enterprise and the SunPass program are pioneers in toll road operations, and serve as an excellent example to many other toll road agencies that have come into existence in recent years, as well as a resource for some of its older counterparts in the Northeast. Working together, it is my hope that we will meet the challenge to deliver bold, innovative and new ideas to our traveling customers. Our goal should be to not only maintain our excellent reputation, but to build upon it as one of the greatest roadways in the nation.

I admit there are certainly large shoes to fill from our previous Executive Director, Jim Ely, and I embrace the challenge. Mr. Ely and I have known each other many years, and I will look forward to his guidance as I continue to learn and grow in this position. I come prepared with 20 years of experience in the tolling industry from the Northeast, and look forward to dedicating my efforts to serve Florida.

As customers traveling the Turnpike, it is also important for you to provide your feedback to help pave the path for its future. Your opinions do matter and have an impact. I trust that you will not be shy, but be bold with your thoughts and ideas. 

With gratitude,  
Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti

SunPass Teams with Other Tolling Agencies

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise continues to explore the tolling frontier and how SunPass can be used in more places, and on more roads.

SunPass is diligently working toward developing partnerships with other tolling agencies to allow interoperable travel between more toll roads within and outside the State of Florida. This includes initiatives that would allow travel in the northeastern corridors in the United States and the E-ZPass system.

The tolling technologies between Florida and other states are not compatible with each other at this point in time. The effort is complex and involved as it requires working with multiple tolling agencies in various states. Thank you for your support and patience as we work to expand the services and geography that SunPass can take you.
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Stay Out of Line, by Going Online

SunPass.com has now gone mobile:

Available in both English and Spanish, you can now use your smartphone to gain fast, convenient access to your account to check your balance, add funds, update your vehicle and credit card, pay documents and view toll activity. In the future look forward to seeing more mobile self-service enhancements and phone applications.

The full SunPass.com website also has more options available:

• View and use the full website in English or Spanish
• Update Easy Pay options and payment sources
• Order accessory items such as Portable transponder shield bags
• Reactivate/deactivate accounts and transponders anytime
• Request account balance refunds
• And more self-service options available!

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Proposed Toll Rate Index Remains Less for SunPass Customers

A state statute passed in 2007 mandates periodic toll rate increases to adapt to inflation over time. This process is known as toll rate indexing and involves increasing tolls in conjunction with the consumer price index, or C.P.I. The most recent toll rate increase on Florida’s Turnpike took place in 2004, when cash toll rates increased and SunPass toll rates remained the same. SunPass toll rates have not been adjusted since 1993. The indexing of toll rates is scheduled to occur no later than June 30, 2012.

As a valued SunPass customer, you will still pay the lowest price available. This means that SunPass rates will be 25 cents less than cash toll rates at all toll plazas, except those plazas that are part of the Turnpike Ticket System, which are 25% less than cash toll rates.

The initial increase and incremental increases in future years will help advance transportation improvements for our Turnpike customers including:

• Widening of Turnpike in Orange and Osceola Counties
• Widening of Veterans Expressway in Hillsborough County
• Widening of Turnpike in Miami-Dade County
• Building Sections of Wekiva Parkway in Lake, Seminole and Orange Counties

For the most up-to-date information on the mandated toll rate adjustment.
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