Cashless Tolls To Pensacola Beach Begin This Spring. Here’s How It Will Work.
February 21, 2020
The new all-electronic tolling system on Bob Sikes Bridge to Pensacola Beach will begin in the spring of 2020. The toll will remain $1, and cash and change will no longer be accepted at this location. Until this change is implemented, Escambia County will continue to monitor traffic levels and will waive toll fees as needed during peak traffic times.
A specific date for the switch has not been announced.
All tolls will be collected electronically. Motorists will use either SunPass, another interoperable transponder or be billed utilizing the TOLL-BY-PLATE system. TOLL-BY-PLATE customers will be charged a $1 toll, plus a monthly $2.50 administrative fee and will receive a bill by mail. You may pay cash at SunPass kiosks to replenish and pay TOLL-BY-PLATE invoices.
There are many ways to get to Pensacola Beach. Transponders are available at the Santa Rosa Island Authority and any retailer where SunPass and E-Pass are available. Other options for passes include the NC Quick Pass, Peach Pass and tolling apps such as PayTollo. The community can still walk, bike, ferry or ride ECAT bus routes 61 and 64 to Pensacola Beach.
“All electronic tolling is going statewide and the goal is to get everyone to Pensacola Beach quicker,” said District 4 County Commissioner Robert Bender. “We want to make it easy to go to the beach in a safe, comfortable amount of time.”
PENSACOLA BEACH ANNUAL PASS
The Pensacola Beach Annual Pass integrated with SunPass provides frequent beach goers and Pensacola Beach residents a true 365-day pass for the Bob Sikes Bridge, providing unlimited passage for one full year from the date of Annual Pass purchase.
- Pensacola Beach Annual Passes are $20 per year for public annual passes and $70 per year for commercial annual passes (all vehicles displaying any commercial markings or advertising, including magnetic or rooftop signs, or vehicles owned by a commercial business).
- Pensacola Beach homestead residents are allowed up to two $5 Pensacola Beach Annual Passes, and must visit the Santa Rosa Island Authority Office, located at 1 Via De Luna Drive on Pensacola Beach. To be a homestead resident, obtain the designation of your primary residence on Pensacola Beach from the Escambia County Property Appraiser’s Office. Beach residents need to bring proof of homestead exemption from the property tax office when going to purchase an annual pass. To be a homestead resident, you must live 50%+ of your time during a year at a primary residence on Pensacola Beach. Please note, these passes are available for two-axle, non-commercial vehicles only.
There are two options to register your Pensacola Beach Annual Pass:
- In person: Visit us at the Santa Rosa Island Authority office (1 Via De Luna Drive on Pensacola Beach, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.). Our friendly staff will walk you through the process. Please note there is a $2 fee for those paying with a credit card in person.
- Online: Visit our Pensacola Beach Annual Pass page at www.myescambia.com/pensacolabeachpass to open or renew your annual pass. Please wait two to four hours after activating your SunPass before going online to purchase an annual pass or registering in person. One Pensacola Beach Annual Pass is linked to one SunPass transponder, which is linked to one vehicle’s license plate.
Comments
74 Responses to “Cashless Tolls To Pensacola Beach Begin This Spring. Here’s How It Will Work.”
The light was green and path clear. We got to the booth and nobody was in it. We sat there momentarily: what to do? We saw no sign that told us the setup. If there was one, well… We looked at each lane to determine where we out of staters should go.
We went through. We felt guilty. This was a few weeks ago.
The bill in the mail did NOT tell us when or where this happened. Only a picture of our car and tag. We travel a good bit. It would surely be decent to let travelers know where and when the bill was initiated. I won’t cry about paying 3.5 times the toll plus postage, etc. I would have appreciated being told when and where. We support law enforcement. We defend law enforcement. Being treated like sheeple, well.
I’ve no desire to be ugly. This whole thing could get a user-friendly upgrade. We didn’t know what to think when the envelope showed up in the mail. I had to spend time online to learn what is the setup.
Thank you for allowing feedback. See you next time we hit the panhandle.
I don’t mind paying the dollar at the toll I mind being charge 250 for there fee don’t think that is fair there charging me more money to use the bridge unfair
Hi everyone,
Another question.
Is the Toll-by-Plate a $2.50 monthly fee plus $1.00 each visit within the billing cycle(?), and SunPass has a minimum balance of $10.00 or you will get cancelled?
Oh, how we are going to miss the days of cash-in-hand or coins-into-bucket & a friendly toll person to say, have fun!
Thanks!
My question(s):
1) Toll-by-Plate: $2.50 fee plus $1.00 each visit via billing cycle.
2) What is the duration time period of a billing cycle?
3) Does the billing cycle starts with my first visit, or does the billing cycle starts the first of each month?
I called ~ Need assistance or have questions? Contact Escambia County’s customer service office located in the Santa Rosa Island Authority office at 850-916-5421 & Toll-by-Plate 888.824.8655, and Santa Rosa told me to contact Toll-by-Plate, and Toll-by-Plate told me to call Santa Rosa, wow!
Does anyone on this site has the correct answer(s).
Thank you!
I’m a Canadian camping at Pensacola Beach and want to ride my bike across the bridge to get groceries. How do I pay the toll when I ride through on my bicycle if it’s cashless?
Make sure I understand this ????? Tax dollars paid for bridge,taxpayers now pay to use bridge???
Get a grip people! Pensacola Beaches are the most beautiful beaches in the world!!! Who gives a flyin flip if it costs a slightly bit extra?? And electronic tolls are the best way to speed up traffic getting to the beaches during the busiest times of the year. Small price to pay for being able to enjoy the beaches and make memories with your family if you ask me. Get a sun pass or do toll by plate! They bill you and you can pay online once the invoice arrives in your mailbox. It’s not that complicated.
ANDREA: That makes ME angry and it did not even happen to me, and I do not know you or your husband. I had just been thinking that I might start going and walking on the beach at least once a month. Not, now. Not if they do this. What a hassle! And, after I read what you wrote, it is confirmed. If I go to any beach, it won’t be Pensacola Beach anymore.
Who ever was a near miss on the SRIA seat vote last go round; opportunity is knocking.
It will be comical to see the economic effect this has on SRI eateries and entertainment establishments. Not to mention the effect it will have on SRIA incumbents. Please tell me that someone put a gun to your head.
This is all about reducing the frequency of locals visits to the beach or a foolish business decision; either way.
I will take my entertainment dollars to Perdido Key/Gulf Shores.
There may be an infringement upon citizen’s here. Who holds the title to Santa Rosa Island; I seem to have forgotten. Local government is also hampering my access to Federal Recreation Lands..
Another bureaucratic PITA!. Now for my occasional trip to the beach, I will get a $3.50 bill that I have to stop and write a check for, then add a 50+ cent stamp and mail it in. As a frequent traveler, all of my other Bill’s are on autopay to avoid this hassle. And if I don’t get the bill in a timely fashion, I suppose they will turn it over to a collection agency or cancel my license or have a warrant out for me? Much easier to hand someone a dollar and be done with it! I will be voting against the current commissioners and I hope others will do the same!
Wow complaining that you may have to pay $3.50 to enjoy a day at the beach. What other entertainment are you enjoying for this price. Obviously some commentators never travel or vacation anywhere. There are tolls all over this country if you travel. Just traveling in Florida you should have a sun pass for convenience. If you think businesses will be effected, you are nieve. Lots of people love the beach and the toll is not stopping them. Also to put a parking garage for the three times a year it is hard to park is ridiculous. I go all the time and I have no trouble parking. I love the beach. It is one of the most beautiful peaceful places around. I am very blessed to live in paradise. No complaints here.
Do away with the toll completely the bridge has been paid for a long time ago there problem solved cashless or use the money for more parking space build a parking garage at casino beach put it to good use oh wait I forgot the county commissioners need that money to line their pockets not to help out the taxpayers
STILL GOING TO BE TRAFFIC BACK UP, THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY PARKING SPOTS ON THE BEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NEED TO BUILD A PARKING GARAGE, WITH PAY FOR SPOTS, MOOOOOOOOORE MONEY!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
What’s the big deal with access to so many other beaches nearby.. people don’t want change but change is necessary for growth. This was the perfect answer to killing traffic congestion on the beach, now less people will visit.
I wouldn’t want to be a business owner on the beach paying the high tax dollars to be there and now the govt has made it more difficult for people to visit my business. businesses on the beach will close!!
Judging by the comments on this story, it looks like I’ll have a lot more room to spread out my beach blanket this year.
My husband had to use the sunpass to work in Eglin Air Force Base.The transponder is a good idea, but the computer would charge him for times and dates he DIDNT go through the toll booth. According to the computer read out, he had gone through 4x in a 10 minute period just do they could keep on taking money out of his sunpass account! When he called to report it, to get it fixed, he would not be able to get anyone on the phone, or they would be closed, the phone number would not work, or get hung up on when he did FINALLY got a human on the phone. Plus they would argue with him that the fees were legit! How many times can a person go through at a time?
I don’t go to the beach much.
Can I use my credit card for the toll access?
If so, will the toll fee be $1.00?
I’ve been following this story on different news outlets and social media ever since my own misadventures with this last summer. From what I’ve read it seems to me that the general consensus is that the only ones that actually want this are the powers that be who refuse to listen to their constituents. This isn’t south Florida and we don’t want this crap up here, if you love the craziness in south Florida so much please go back. The heart of our problems on the beach which never gets addressed is the lack of parking. No amount of messing with the toll plaza will solve the problem that there isn’t enough parking, while this may not be a problem in the off season however on Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July and Blue Angels weekends there is no where to park. And then you add in the proposed roundabouts that no one wants either and you might as well just put a for sale sign on your car and abandon it. Fix the parking problem and everything else will work itself out.
Tried to sign up for a sun pass, filling out the very lengthy form only to be rejected ( license#) Reasons unknown, why, heck you’d think I was applying for a seat on Space X. I just simply want a sun pass. Tried to contact sunpass point of contact for assistance several times with no response back. Real crummy set up you guys have. You have made this way, way to difficult. But we must remember, this is a govt agency. Simplify and establish a really good point of contact for easy and clear assistance, you know, phone number, email, text. Simplify the form……
How about older people that are not tech savvy? How about people that live an hour or more away and only go to the beach once or twice a year or less? I am already up to my ears in technology. I cannot get a signal on my cell phone at home, where I am most of the time. So, I am not paying a minimum o $40 or so a month PLUS paying for a land line. I pay by the days I use my phone, still plus the land line. I miss out on all the perks that REQUIRE a cell phone. Also, my TV signal, and Internet signal is so slow. Pretty soon, only computer techs will have jobs. I do NOT like the “Brave New World.” Pensacola Beach is beautiful. All the high rises and other stuff is NOT beautiful. Why can’t hotels all be near the beach, but not ON it and there could be a parking lot and shuttles to the beach. THAT would eliminate a lot of traffic. I hate technology for the most part. Nothing much works real well anymore due to big government, cheap crap from China, poor medical care due to medical personnel having to jump through all the insurance and government hoops. Coding, documenting EVERYTHING. The saying in the medical field is, “If it is done, but not documented, it did NOT happen…………….If it is not done, but it is documented, it DID happen.” I know this is true. I was part of it all when it went south. UGH ! I wish we land lines, phone booths, more libraries, written letters., glass, wood metal and rubber, instead of plastic, work ethic, discipline, and on and on. I do not like all the “stuff.” Most people, including myself, used to be nicer also. . I do not like the “Brave New World.”
Personally this is ridiculous gulf breeze sounds so money hungry.. its ridiculous that the city has to create this issue for people. Forcing them to pay the additional fee of 2.50 so all together 3.50 foe the toll when midbay bridge did this it created so many problems. Gulf breeze really ita getting out of hand! Wont see me at the beach much and if so ill go to navarre less crowded anyways and parking is easier!
It’s 2020. I’m surprised we’re not in flying cars yet or teleporting ourselves to the beach.
I thought the bridge was built and the toll put in place to pay for the bridge, and once payed for the toll would go away??? What ever happen to that?
Next they will put a toll on 9 mile road to get to NFCU
ot a good idea. Money from taxes collected on the beach should cover these expenses, do not need more taxes on locals that visit once or twice per year. Good bye pergola Bach. Never had much use for it anyway.
Now the traffic jam will be at the light
what a stupid idea.
WOW. Most pf you sound so dang dumb. Firstly it costs MILLIONS of dollars to MAINTAIN the bridge. You think it takes care of itself. Do you clowns realize how much LOST dollars are generated out there that get spent in YOUR part of the county. You people dont have a clue. The less ignorant folks we have at the beach the better it makes it for all everyone else.
Sweet! The beach will be free of all these whiners! Probably not though. A bunch of people said they’d move to Canada after the last election & still waiting for that to happen. Good riddance…
I appreciate the information.
The $5.00 transponder must be glued to your windshield. You must pay $20 for a transponder that can be used on more than one vehicle. You better read the small print because I think there is an adverse impact if the balance in your account gets below a certain amount. The good thing is that your can get to the full parking lots faster so you’ll have more time to cruise looking for a place to stop. As for me, I’m not loosing anything because I’ve decided I’ll leave the traffic and unappreciative shop owners alone and go elsewhere.
Paying a service fee of $2.50 for a $1.00 charge. Are you serious. Then you pay to walk on the bridge, pay to fish.
It’s beginning to look like Vegas, no free parking, no comp drinks. Where’s the monies going to. This will be negative about Pensacola Beach. Was there a public hearing on this?
Honest John,
They paved paradise
and put up a toll booth.
We paid $19.99 @ CVS, and loaded $20 on the pass.
Only the temporary one-car SunPass is $5.00. We will not pay $2.50 in fees as well as $1 to cross that bridge, but the public needs to know that the temporary pass, good for one car only, is $5 & where they can be purchased.
We all know this is to save $$$$ on salaries. Shame on the people responsible for screwing over these poor folks that worked the toll booths. Pure greed
To whom it may concern,
You people are never happy. The people who are complaining can just stay home.
You are probably the people that caused this to happen in the first place. Not having a dollar when crossing the bridge,then complaining about the wait. I hope you only come to the beach once so we can charge you 2.50 to bill you cause it’s to much of an inconvenience for you to get a sun pass. The bridge is old and near replacement time, I can’t wait till that happens and the toll goes up to 3.75 like Garcon Bridge. That will teach em. I for one will be glad I won’t have to fight the crowds at subway or the restaurants on the weekends. Here’s a novel idea don’t like the $1 toll and $2.50 admin fee? Feel free to drive to Navarre and cross for free.
Sooo… you don’t have $5 to buy a transponder or and extra 10 quarters for the monthly bill, but beach businesses should be concerned about losing you as a customer? I mean, you either aren’t bringing any viable business to the beach or your just fussing to fuss.
So if you pay by plate they are going to charge you an ongoing monthly fee ?
As Joni Mitchell said in her 1970 hit song Big Yellow Taxi
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got
‘Till it’s gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.
Is it free for disabled veterans plates?
Anyone know where the money go’s and what its used for?
We need a new destination
What the What? Lord have Mercy! It’s $5 for a transponder. After that still only $1 to cross the bridge.(everyone here clearly knows how to log online and load up your account) And A lot less hassle and wait time getting there with this change. We have to stay in touch with the reality of the rest of the world.
It is so sad to me to see all of you who have no pride in this place we are so fortunate to call home! Pensacola would not be what it is without the Beach. I’ll take the good with the bad to get over there, enjoy its beauty, and share its peace with my children and ensure that they are proud Pensacolians too.
Even if there was no toll, I would not take my family there
Nothing but a bunch of loud mouth drunks and people doing drugs without even trying to hide it
Every time you read there are fights on the beach, dont need all that trash in front of my kids
So lets see. Im from out of state, at the beach for 3 days,,I drive thru and my Texas plate registers.
1. is the state of Tx giving out my contact info? Privacy violations
2. How do you expect to collect the 1$ fee. Sue me? Too expensive.
3. If I don’t pay after 50 visits will a local police officer hunt me down when I’m at Pcola beach on the beach and arrest me? Again too expensive.
This sounds like a hail Mary proposition.. toss the ball and see how many people pay the fee. After a few years all out of state tourists will figure it out ignore the fee.
I’m from the Government and I’m here to help you. Please..
Lord have mercy people! Buy a transponder for $5 and log in online to load it up. (Everyone here clearly knows how to log in online!) No more scrambling for $1 or waiting behind slowpokes.
Also, so sad to me to see so many of you that are not proud of your hometown and what makes it great. Are you not aware of the beauty of Pensacola Beach and how fortunate we all are to call this place our home? Pensacola would not be what it is without that magnificent beach!
I live in Maryland. I have an ez pass. Now for a week in May when we visit family here, I must pay for another electronic device to gain access to this beautiful beach. No more smiling faces in the toll booth, just an electronic device that eliminates their jobs and more cash for the local politicians. Americas shores and beaches should be free for the people! Yes, you’ll respond that this money is for x amount of projects, but my question is, what are the high sales taxes for? The toll booth and bridge are paid for, (according to what I have read), so what is the problem? I’m just another outsider feeling that you dont want tourists visiting!
I’m not understanding how this will apply to those of us traveling to Pensacola Beach from across the country for a several day visit. Are we required to purchase a short term pass? And from where do we get it? Thank you!
So, what are the toll collections used for? A little research, rather than guesswork, reveals the answer.
A 2017 WEAR news story interview with then county commissioner Grover Robinson of District 4 provides the answers.
1. To pay off bonds for the four-laning of Via de Luna. The bonds will be paid off in 2031. (Vast majority of toll funds go here.)
2. To pay toll collectors salaries. (This will be going away through automation. Are you really surprised at this?)
3. Toll facility building and equipment maintenance.
4. Long-term fund for bridge maintenance and future replacement.
And, I recently saw a long-term report from the Pensacola/Escambia Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) that, at some point in the early 2020’s, the Bob Sikes Bridge is going to need to be replaced due to age.
To me, this sounds like very conscientious and solid governmental use of the toll revenues. These uses of are appropriate and well thought out. Let’s give some credit here to the County Commission and the SRIA, rather than more chronic anti-government criticism for the sake of creating a ruckus over a $1 and fatigue over signing up on the SunPass web page.
Ok Boomer. Ok Silent Generation.
To send out monthly bills for $3.50 and monitor that the money is received is insanity!
For all the people saying bye bye Pensacola Beach, great! Less traffic!
Bridge has been paid for over and over. Now it will cost me $3.50 to go over. How stupid. Just will not go to the beach anymore. That’s our smart leaders for you.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TOLLBOOTHS COME DOWN WHEN THE BRIDGE IS PAID FOR????????????????????????????
LIKE NAVARE DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MY ONCE A MONTH VISIT TO, Peg Legs, crabs, ETC. sorry
Ok. Quick question. This is one of the most affordable tourist spots out there. How much do you drop taking your family to Disney World? Grab a SunPass. Add a card. Problem solved.
My question is WHY is there still a toll on this bridge. At first it was to cover the costs to build it many years ago so what’s the excuse now? Seeing how politicians LOVE to get inside of tax payers pockets I think I answered my own question.
Oh my goodness, people! Just go to any CVS, Walgreens, or online to buy an inexpensive Sunpass! I initially put $20 on it, then have it automatically replenish when it hits $10. Still only costs $1 toll, and the line moves much faster. Don’t pay using Toll by Plate, then you won’t have to pay the $2.50 per month. It is so easy peasy.
I started to sign up for the Sun Pass on the web page. After answering 17 questions on page 1 of 4, I got a little dis-interested. There must be a simpler way.
So when I fly in each year (or drive) I have to first obtain a pass? I’ll go to Destin or Ft Walton. I love Pensacola but enjoy the tropical feel of the persons greeting at the toll booths. Bad idea for tourism of out of staters.
What about out of staters. Never to be collected.
After reading the comments it would appear the traffic issues will be solved by discouraging visitors to go across the bridge. #metoo. I’ll watch the airshow from my boat, saving money.Pack a picnic, no more Bands on the Beach traffic to deal with Yay! Johnson Beach is closer to me. Bye Bye PCB. Perdido Key, here I come!
This story is placing too much emphasis on the county’s beach pass and toll-by-plate, and under reporting on SunPass. If you are a frequent PB visitor, SunPass is the way to go. And if you travel on the Garçon Point Bridge, the Okaloosa Mid Bay Bridge, or travel downstate to the Turnpike, Suncoast/Veterans Patkways, or the many tollways in Central or South Florida, SunPass reduces toll costs.
SunPass comes in a window sticker form for $5, or a portable transponder for $20. Both are ONE TIME FEES. The user sets up an online account and pre pays some tolls with a credit card. There are no other fees.
I keep my SunPass account prepaid with $5 to $15 when staying in town. But if going downstate, like to the Turnpike or the Suncoast/Veterans Parkway in Tampa, I put more in the account.
If you do Toll-by-Plate, you pay full toll rates, plus the monthly administrative fees. But with SunPass, many till roads have discounts built in.
The Bob Sikes Bridge is a flat $1 for all vehicles. If you’re pulling a camper with more axles, still $1. Downstate, SunPass automatically counts the axles at the toll gantries as you pass through.
SunPass can be purchased locally at Publix, Walgreens, CVS, the Florida Welcome Station on I-10, and other places, and online. It’s easy, and pays for itself over time. Toll-by-Plate is for tourists who don’t do their homework before visiting Florida.
The people pay for poor engineering of traffic flow that has been on that beach for many many many years.
The creek is free
Have not been to Pensacola beach since 1963…there was nothing spectacular about it then either
You cant pack sardines but so much in an area
Great grand kids and grand kids prefer the creeks as well
When you build a shrine to snowbirds you all got pushed out and taxed more
I remember a time when Pensacola Beach actually was for the citizens of Escambia County – not business special interest groups and / or outlanders. I’d go so far as to say an outlander can move here , stay a few years & become a County Commissioner so he or she can make those decisions impacting life long citizens of the area. Times sure have changed.
Out of town visitors will be the suckers not me.
That will solve some traffic problems for the beach. I’m sure a lot of locals like me will not visit anymore. $ 2.50 a MONTH for administrative fees will keep me away the 6-7 times a year I go. Sorry Peg Legs,
This sounds like a horrible idea. Why $2.50 a month maintenance fee? Why not $2.50 a year? I think if I go to the beach I will go by boat,lol.
This is a loser in many aspects. How many local jobs will be sacrificed for this change? The toll attendants were always so polite and accommodating…Ill miss those ‘aloha’ shirts and welcoming smiles.
Transponder on my motorcycle…I don’t think so.
The really sad part is that it is just another move towards a cashless society. I can envision the day that cash will be worthless…not even being able to pay the neighborhood student cash to mow my lawn….but the banks will smile while collecting their card fees.
Just think of all the money I will save by not going to Pensacola Beach anymore.
I will only pay cash for the toll. Bye Bye pensacola beach, I sure wont miss you.
So where does the $2.50 administration go?
So in the interest of being “more efficient” and automated we who choose not to pay for a pass have to pay 2.5 times more than what it took $1.00 to administer for years. Typical government inefficiency.
“TOLL-BY-PLATE customers will be charged a $1 toll, plus a monthly $2.50 administrative fee”
Answer this question: Who gets $2.50 fleece the public administrative fee? Is it the county, Santa Rosa Island Authority, the collector or is it shared among them?
So now to go to the beach which i don’t do very often anyways its going to cost #3.50 veruses the $1.00 you say the toll price is currently. Just 1 more reason to not go to the beach
Good bye Pensacola Beach…been nice knowing you.
we built this with your tax money, now we are gonna tax you to use it, teehee!
decorum prevents my real opinion of this. i don’t go to the beach anyway, and i bet many, many of my fellow north escambians don’t either. the idea of my tag being read and a bill being sent to in the mail riles, but it is nothing new.
the average American is a sheep to be shorn, don’t you doubt it.