Towing rates going up in State College. How do the borough’s new rates compare to elsewhere?
Drivers in State College are about to find their wallets a little lighter if they find their vehicles on the wrong end of a borough-initiated tow.
After a brief discussion Monday night, State College Borough Council unanimously approved rate hikes — ranging from 25% increases and more — on towing services initiated by the borough, meaning in cases of vehicle crashes, DUIs, trespasses, parking in front of fire hydrants, etc.
The following is an overview of the changes to the new maximum fee schedule, which does not affect private lots or agreements:
- Non-crash base tows: $225 (from $175) for a 28.6% increase
- Crash base tows: $375 (from $300) for a 25% increase
- Dolly fee: $50 (from $20) for a 150% increase
- Daily storage rates (vehicles under 10,000 pounds): $60 (from $45) for a 33.3% increase
- Drop fees: $150 (from $100) for a 50% increase
- Drive shaft removal: $75 (from $60) for a 25% increase
- Weather-compromised vehicle covering/protection fee: $60 (from $40) for a 50% increase
The changes to the Public/Private Towing Ordinance were devised by the police department after discussing needs with the area towing services — including Walk’s Service Center, John Tennis Towing and Stewart’s Towing. In December, State College Chief of Police John Gardner and Walk’s manager Tom Hipple addressed borough council and answered questions on the increases.
“The biggest thing that prompted this is that we’re trying to staff. And I understand 3 years seems like a lot for a big jump,” Hipple said in December, referring to the fact increases were last passed in 2019. “My starting payroll is literally up 50% to 75% to start a new employee now.”
Since that presentation, however, three new members have joined council in addition to a new mayor. Although they often attended past meetings as members of the public, they did not have the opportunity in December to ask questions. The ordinance was presented during a work session Dec. 13 and was set to be voted on Dec. 20, before it was instead tabled for a future date to be determined.
On Monday, the issue was brought up and passed within 4 minutes.
How does State College compare to other areas?
In Pennsylvania, it’s uncommon — but not unheard of — for a municipality to set a maximum rate for towing services that it initiates. It’s also difficult to compare some rates due to a number of variables, such as some towing companies combining fees while others might separate labor or post-crash cleanup.
But a cursory search by the CDT shows that at least some of State College’s rates appear to be on the higher end — and a list of price comparisons provided by the borough to council listed incomplete and/or incorrect information.
For example, the borough listed Halfmoon Towing (Port Matilda) as charging $500 for non-crash tows, Dunlap Towing (Philipsburg) at $450 and Auto Undertaker Towing (Dubois) at $500. Officials at those companies told the CDT they instead charged $150, $250ish and $125, respectively. The New York Times also reported last year that the average towing cost is about $165, based on the 20-plus states where such fees are regulated.
The city of Philadelphia caps such towing fees at $215, although a parking authority official said most tows cost $175.
State College police Lt. Greg Brauser noted that the borough is “very, very limited” in its annual number of non-crash tows. But the CDT found it exceedingly difficult to compare the cost of crash tows, which are more prevalent in the borough, due to more variables.
The cost of drop fees also appears significantly higher in State College than most other places. A “drop,” which occurs when a tow truck hooks up a vehicle but the owner arrives before it’s driven away, will cost $150 in State College — more than some towns charge for the tows themselves, such as in York, Pennsylvania, and Bloomington, Indiana.
The CDT reached out to Walk’s Service Center on Tuesday afternoon and asked why those specific rates were recommended, but an official said the owner was out on a business trip and would not return for 3-4 days.
Members of State College Borough Council also did not immediately respond to an email.
Reasons for increases
With only three licensed towers in the borough, there is a real problem of supply and demand — especially during football season.
Gardner said in December that it wasn’t uncommon for police to wait 30 minutes or more for a tow truck to arrive at the scene. And, with competition for employees at an all-time high and gas prices continually increasing, towing companies say the need is real for raising prices — especially considering the rates are usually reviewed every year or two but weren’t lately due to the pandemic.
In a joint December letter from Walk’s Service Center and John Tennis Towing, addressed to Gardner, the two businesses formally requested the rate changes while explaining they both need to “attract, hire and retain staff.”
“By financially investing in quality services on the front end, the borough is ensuring the parking situation does not become a TripAdvisor nightmare, but also a danger to motorists and pedestrians,” they wrote.
The updated ordinance includes a provision that allows the borough to use non-borough towers if any are unable to respond within 20 minutes. Other changes include requiring towing companies to accept at least two major credit cards, easily appearing in internet searches, and more.
The changes will go into effect once Mayor Ezra Nanes signs the amended ordinance.
