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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 4, 2013 04:13 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative John A. Lawrence |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Pennsylvania Turnpike Call Box Program |
| Dear Colleagues – In the early 1990’s, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission installed yellow “call boxes” to assist stranded motorists travelling on the Turnpike. At the time, this service was a novel addition that allowed folks in need of a tow truck or police presence to summon help. Over time, the advent of widespread availability of cell phones has resulted in a dramatic dropoff in usage of the call box system, from a total of 18,571 calls in 2000 to 1,717 calls systemwide in 2012. According to published reports, the call box program costs $200,000 per year to operate, or $116 per call using 2012 numbers. After looking into this, I learned that the call box program is actually mandated upon the Turnpike Commission as a statutory requirement. At this time, the law requires the upkeep of the call box system even though it is barely used. In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would remove the statutory requirement for these call boxes, thus allowing the Turnpike Commission to remove the call box system. My proposal does not mandate a specific timeframe, instead it allows the PTC the flexibility to move forward with the removal at their discretion. I would appreciate your support of this money-saving initiative. |
Introduced as HB1042