Florida to provide more toll relief for commuters

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that Floridians will receive additional funding for toll relief.

Toll relief began April 1 and will save some commuters who frequently drive through toll plazas hundreds of dollars over the course of a year after the state has promised to reimburse 50% of those toll costs back to drivers.

"We were able in 2023 to do the most significant toll relief program in the history of the state. We were able to rebate 50% of all the tolls from our commuters on a monthly basis," DeSantis said.

DeSantis noted that relief was only meant for Florida residents, and if that commuter met the required threshold, they would receive a refund. DeSantis noted that rebates were done this way to ensure Floridians were getting the relief and not visitors to the state.

"The visitors, we want them to pay, right? We'd rather have them pay than us…but if you're here just working, and you're getting to and from work, and you're getting hit with these tolls, we wanted to be able to provide relief," DeSantis said.

DeSantis noted that toll relief in 2023 was very successful, and it was one way that he and the Legislature could also provide Floridians with relief from inflation. DeSantis stated that commuters do not need to do anything, and they will begin to see savings.

The toll relief program is operated by the Florida Department of Transportation and covers the state from the Panhandle to South Florida. According to DeSantis, these toll roads include parts of Interstate 95, the Florida Turnpike, Interstate 4 in Central Florida, and some roads and bridges that are not state-managed.

"If you've had 35 clicks going through any of these toll facilities, which you figure if you're working full-time, you're gonna do that on a monthly basis no problem, and it also includes if you're just doing leisure [travel]," DeSantis said.

DeSantis mentioned how Floridians are also receiving permanent sales-tax relief on items such as baby clothing, baby clothing, and baby equipment.

"This toll relief I think is really really significant, so we're excited to be able to re-up this for a second year," DeSantis said.

DeSantis further announced that the Golden Glades Interchange Improvement Program also started Monday, a decade ahead of schedule.