State Refuses To Suspend Tolls On Roads During Coronavirus Crisis

ACROSS FLORIDA — The Florida Department of Transportation will continue to collect tolls on highways in Florida Turnpike Enterprise system but, as of noon Thursday, toll workers will no longer accept cash.

The FDOT said the cash ban is to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and keep toll collectors safe. However, drivers will still be required to pay tolls by electronic payments.

Customers will still be able to use the “Exact Coin Lanes” and toss coins into the basket.

SunPass customers will continue to have tolls posted to their accounts. Vehicles without a SunPass will be billed for toll transactions at the posted cash toll rate and receive a Toll Enforcement Invoice in the mail. The invoice administrative fee of $2.50 will temporarily be waived.

Drivers who receive a Toll Enforcement Invoice and wish to open a SunPass account can go online to pay the invoice, purchase a transponder, establish an account and receive a discount of nearly 25 percent on tolls.

Sunpass works on all Florida toll roads and most bridges. The cost of a mini transponder ($4.99) will be credited back to the account, effectively making the transponder free.

A grassroots group has launched a petition drive on Change.org urging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend tolls on all Florida toll roads until the coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Inc. posted the petition in response to DeSantis' announcement Tuesday ordering all bars and other establishments that make more than 50 percent of their revenue from the sale of alcohol to close for 30 days.

So far, 861 people have signed the petition.

"Neighbors Helping Neighbors Inc. is doing everything we can to do exactly that ... help our Florida friends, neighbors and family members whose income has completely stopped due to the restrictions in place," wrote the organization. "We totally understand the need for these restrictions, but tolls need to be suspended until the restrictions are lifted ... period."

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"This is something that would help everyone during these difficult times of the unknown regarding work, school etc...," said Misty Estrada.

"I spend too much money on tolls," said Carlos Guanipa. "Florida charges more fees on tolls than any other state."

While stopping short of lifting the tolls, the FDOT said it will "closely monitor this evolving situation and will update customers accordingly."

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