The state of Florida has announced the launch of “SunPass Savings,” a new toll discount program for customers who use roads and tolls owned by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
Since Florida’s Turnpike — which rolls through nearly 70 miles of Osceola County — and a few other local roads are part of that list, it could save local drivers who are frequently on roads served by the SunPass system some money over the next six months.
This program begins today (Sept. 1) and runs through February.
Per the state and the News Service of Florida, about 400,000 SunPass customers are expected to see discounts resulting in an overall $38 million cut in toll collections. Toll revenues are used for such things as building and improving those roads.
The toll relief program is for drivers of two-axle vehicles with SunPass or other Florida transponder accounts (E-Pass, et al) in good standing. Those who tally at least 40 paid transactions a month a 20% credit to their account. Customers with 80 or more paid transactions will receive a 25% credit each. A driver who spends $50 per month on tolls could save $60 during the program.
In Osceola County, SunPass handles payments on the entire length of the Turnpike and the westernmost three miles of State Road 417 (the toll booth near Celebration). Other nearby roads include 417 through Seminole County (the Seminole Expressway), the southern 10 miles of State Road 429, the Interstate 4 Express lanes through the Orlando area, the western and eastern 10-mile ends of State Road 528 (the Beachline Expressway) and State Road 570 (Polk Parkway).
“This program will help frequent SunPass customers keep more money in their pockets during a time of growing inflation,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis. “Florida families who depend on these FDOT facilities for a timely commute to work will benefit from these savings. We will, of course, seek to enact greater savings for commuters in the next legislative session.”
A map of statewide toll facilities and more information on the program can be found at www.sunpass.com/en/common/docs/SunPass_Savings_Alert.pdf.
DeSantis said he hopes to include roads in other expressway authorities (i.e. E-Pass) in legislation next year.
