Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 6A, establishing the Toll Relief Program through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), which will provide account credits to frequent commuters using toll roads across the state. The program will give Floridians with 35 or more toll transactions per month a 50% credit to their account. The legislation, originally proposed by Governor DeSantis in September of this year, was successfully passed during the recent Legislative Special Session. The Toll Relief Program begins on January 1, 2023, and runs through December 31, 2023. A map of included toll facilities in the program can be found here.
“I promised Floridians that I would find additional ways to provide toll relief for Florida families,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “With this legislation, we are keeping that promise to help hardworking families keep more money in their pockets. I applaud the Florida Legislature for prioritizing this during the special session.”
Under the Toll Relief Program, drivers who use toll transponders, such as SunPass or other Florida-based transponders, and have 35 or more qualifying toll transactions per month will receive a 50 percent credit to their account. This program is expected to benefit approximately 1.2 million drivers and will save the average commuter nearly $400 in the 2023 calendar year.
“This program provides impactful cost savings to Floridians and directly benefits individuals and families by helping with today’s financial challenges,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “This is an essential move forward in giving commuters much-needed relief and I commend Governor DeSantis, FDOT, and the Florida Legislature for continuing to prioritize Florida families.”
“For many Floridians, tolls are an unavoidable cost of commuting to work five or six days a week,” said Senator Nick DiCeglie. “This bill is a common sense solution that provides relief at a time when Floridians need it the most. I’m thankful the Governor supports this legislation to make tolls more affordable for commuters across the state.”
“Florida workers and commuters fuel our economy,” said Representative Demi Busatta Cabrera. “I appreciate the leadership of Governor DeSantis, Lieutenant Governor Nuñez, and Speaker Renner for fighting to establish a 12-month toll relief program that will keep money in the pockets of hardworking Floridians.”
“FDOT is thrilled to offer the Toll Relief Program to help Floridians with the challenges of rising costs of life,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “Customers are at the center of all we do at FDOT, and this program will truly make an immediate impact on the everyday lives of our customers.”
The 2023 Toll Relief Program builds upon the success of the SunPass Savings Program debuted by Governor DeSantis in August, which was expected to provide almost $40 million in savings to those who use Florida’s Turnpike System and FDOT-owned toll facilities. The SunPass Savings Program began on September 1, 2022, and was approved for six months, but will sunset on December 31, 2022, as the Toll Relief Program begins. Since its introduction, the SunPass Savings Program has saved an average of 371,000 commuters more than $13.3 million.
FDOT’s mission is to provide a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity, and preserves the quality of the state’s environment and communities. FDOT is committed to building a transportation system that not only fits the current needs of Florida’s residents and visitors but also enhances mobility throughout the state to accommodate its consistent and rapid growth. For more information, visit www.FDOT.gov.
Original source can be found here.
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