Right to Know Requests

Requests for public records must be submitted in writing and addressed to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s (PTC) Open Records Officer. Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) requests may be submitted in person or by mail, facsimile, or email. Written request must identify or describe the records sought with sufficient specificity to enable the PTC to ascertain which records are being requested. All requests must include the name and address to which the PTC should address its response.

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (PA OOR) has interpreted sufficient specificity to include a subject matter that describes or identifies a transaction or activity of the agency, the type of record, or recipient of the record being sought and the timeframe (a definite period) for which records are sought.

If the PTC notifies a requester that his/her request is insufficiently specific, the RTKL does not prohibit the requester from submitting a new request that sufficiently identifies the record being sought.

Submit a Request Online

Other Ways to Submit a Request

Requests for records must be addressed to the PTC's Open Records Officer and can be submitted by email, fax, mail, or in person. The request should be specific and not seek answers to questions. After filing a request, a response will be issued within five business days.

The regular business hours of the PTC's Open Records Office are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, except holidays. Requests received by the Open Records Office after the close of regular business hours shall be deemed to have been received on the following business day. RTKL requests may be submitted in the form established by the PA OOR. Visit the PA OOR’s website at www.openrecords.pa.gov.

Fees

The PA OOR has established fees for duplication by photocopying, printing from electronic media, copying onto electronic media, transmission by facsimile or other electronic means, or other means of duplication. Such fees may be found on the PA OOR’s website. The PTC will charge $.25 per page for black and white duplication; $.35 per page for color duplication; actual cost for each CD/DVD; actual cost for each flash drive; $5 per record for certification; and actual cost for facsimile and all other delivery methods and postage. The PTC will determine on a case-by-case basis reasonable fees for other allowable costs incurred.

In accordance with the RTKL, prior to granting access to public records, the PTC may require the requester to prepay an estimate of the fees, if the fees are expected to exceed $100. All applicable fees must be prepaid in order to receive access to the public records requested.

Filing an Appeal

When a request is denied or deemed denial, a requester may file an appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. The appeal must be filed within 15 business days of the denial or deemed denial date. The appeal must also include the request, agency denial if one exists, and address agency grounds that the request was denied. An appeals officer will determine if the record(s) is subject to public access.

An appeal may be filed to the Office of Open Records via its Online Appeal Form, in person, phone, fax, or email at:

Office of Open Records
333 Market Street, 16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-2234

Phone: 717-346-9903
Fax: 717-425-5343

Email: openrecords@pa.gov

Members of the Media

Members of the news media are encouraged to contact the PTC's Department of Communications & Public Relations for information regarding media inquiries outside the scope of the RTKL.

Contact:

Important Links

• Office of Open Records’ website
• Office of Open Records’ fee schedule