This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he plans to push to offer discounts for frequent toll users in the next legislative session.
“Under this proposal, Floridians who use toll transponders like SunPass and E-PASS and have 40 or more transactions a month would receive a 50 percent credit on their monthly bill. This proposal would benefit approximately 750,000 Floridians who frequently commute and would save the average commuter around $550 a year,” the governor’s office announced.
DeSantis said his proposal builds on his recent “SunPass Savings” discount program that he unveiled last month. “Sun Pass Savings” is expected to save Floridians around $38 million through toll discounts. The program began at the start of this month and will run for six months.
“Last month I announced a short-term SunPass Savings program for Florida commuters, but I promised that we would continue to look for more ways to save Floridians money on their daily commute,” said DeSantis. “This proposal will require legislative approval and is more far-reaching – it provides a 50 percent discount on all tolls throughout the state of Florida, saving the average commuter $550 per year.”
“For over a decade, I have fought tirelessly to ensure that our expressway authorities, specifically Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, were being transparent and accountable to Floridians, as well as providing much-needed toll relief,” said Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez. “This expanded toll savings program has the potential to positively impact families in South Florida and beyond. I join Governor DeSantis in calling on the Legislature to pass this important piece of legislation during the 2023 Legislative Session.”
“FDOT is excited to offer new ways to help the people of Florida with the challenges of rising costs,” said Florida Department of Transportation Sec. Jared Perdue. “This innovative program will make a real impact in the everyday lives of our customers.”
DeSantis’ proposal, if passed, would begin at the start of July 2023 and run through the end of June 2024.