The state Turnpike Commission announced another toll increase, but said it is the lowest annual hike in six years.

E-ZPass and Toll By Plate customers will notice a 5% increase starting on Jan. 2, 2022, according to a news release from the commission.

Mark Compton, commission CEO, said the increase is necessary to make the final $450 million payment to the State Department of Transportation for transit operations under Acts 44 and 89.

The commission has made that annual payment since 2009, which has necessitated an annual toll increase each year since then.

“Starting in July 2022, our transit funding requirement to PennDOT under Act 44 ...will be cut to $50 million annually,” Compton said. “Finally, we are seeing a light at the end of this very long tunnel.

“In addition to breathing a huge sigh of relief ourselves, it enables us to begin to offer some relief to customers from those heftier toll increases and refocus on essential improvements to our roadway.”

Beginning in July 2022, $400 million of the longtime annual payment will be paid by the state Motor Vehicle Sale and Use Tax, which is a result of Act 89 of 2013.

The commission will continue to pay $50 million until 2057, the release said.

The commission also must continue to pay down debt incurred from previous borrowing needed to fund Act 44 payments since 2009.

Compton said because of this, motorists will continue to see annual increases, but at a lesser percentage.

He said annual toll increases are set at 5% through 2025, 4% in 2026, 3.5% in 2027, then 3% annually from 2028 to 2050.

The news release said the most common toll for a passenger vehicle next year will increase from $1.60 to $1.70 for E-ZPass customers and from $3.90 to $4.10 for Toll By Plate customers.

The most common toll for a Class 5 tractor trailer will go from $13 to $13.70 for E-ZPass and from $26.60 to $28 for Toll By Plate customers.

Since Act 44 payments began in 2009, the commission has provided $7.45 billion in toll-backed funding to PennDOT.