Florida’s Turnpike to go cashless as it switches to electronic tolling

By February 2011, all cash collection on the turnpike’s southernmost stretch will end. Toll plazas between the Golden Glades and Interstate 595 will be converted the following year. Eventually, the turnpike will be free of toll booths.

Don’t fret if you don’t have SunPass. Drivers without transponders will be billed later.

Proponents cite three reasons behind the push to eliminate cash collection: improving safety, eliminating bottlenecks and reducing the actual cost of collecting tolls.

Obviously not the entire article – go take a peek. Basically, they are completely eliminating the cash option on the turnpike, which will also eliminate countless jobs. From my perspective, it will generate tons of trash (mailing out bills to non SunPass users, bill being mailed back to be paid), is costing 58 million dollars (plus, that 58mil was only for South Florida if I read correctly), and eliminating jobs. Did I mention it’s eliminating jobs? All because some assholes can’t be bothered to check and make sure the car in front of them is stopped, or is in the process of stopping. Our economy and unemployment rate is almost at an all time low (I think the unemployment rate is for SoFl) and the freaking TurnPike is eliminating hundreds of jobs. Way to go.