Pennsylvania Gas Tax Increasing In January 2017

ITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- People in Pennsylvania are accustomed to paying around $2.40 for a tank of gas. But that doesn't mean everyone likes it.

"You can go right over the border and get it for 30 cents cheaper," said Eric Miller of Midway.

Now comes the latest hit from Act 89: Eight cents more a gallon beginning on Jan. 1.

"Right after Christmas when you need the money," Heather Petruskie of Heidelberg said.

This will bring our total gas taxes per gallon in Pennsylvania to 76 cents.

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State Sen. Jay Costa said the money is needed.

"At the end of the day, what we've added is $2.5 billion in public investment with respect to transportation but also mass transit," he said.

Until Act 89 came along, it was almost a yearly battle to fund the buses that serve a quarter million people a day. With roads and bridges crumbling, the money is going to restore safety.

"This is an investment in our highways our roads and our bridges and that's why we think it's appropriate thing to do," Costa said.

"Those are a lot of important things that do need some work so we'll see if they are true to their word," said Brian Gialluco of Weirton.