Pennsylvania taxpayers should save $57 million under the terms of a new emissions-testing contract announced this week by Gov. Rendell.

The five-year agreement, between the Department of Transportation and MCI Communications Services Inc., calls for a 42-percent cut in the program’s management fee to $2.40. That $1.75 savings should be subtracted from the cost of each emissions test, Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E., said. Most emissions inspection stations pass the management fee to customers as part of the overall cost of emissions testing.

MCI has provided oversight for Pennsylvania’s vehicle emissions inspection program since 1997. The new, five-year contract will begin October 10th.

The program management fee covers the costs of administering the auto emissions program in Pennsylvania and includes the cost of station oversight through audits, collection of data and analysis, as well as the storage of that data.

PennDOT regulations require stations to post both the test fees and the program management fees. All stations should post the new $2.40 fee on the October 10th effective date.

There are approximately 6,600 stations participating in emissions testing in the 25-county emissions area and nearly 6.6 million vehicles are tested annually.

Competition permits customers to choose inspection sites based on price, service and convenience.

PennDOT continues to encourage customers to shop around for the best price and to visit www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us for a list of the most current, certified emissions inspection stations and their test fees.

10/7/2005