Is anyone subscribed to EZ-Pass in a different state than the one they live in?
15 years
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Hi,
We live in Maryland, where O'Malley started charging us a $1.50/month "administrative fee" for absolutely nothing, so we canceled our EZ-pass. We use it enough that we'd like to pick one up again but only if there is no fee involved, so I've been looking at neighboring states' EZ-Pass programs.
It looks like the best deals are through DRJTBC, Peace Bridge and Virginia. I'd like to know if anyone has any experience with any of these agencies before we sign back up, though.
Seems to have been a pretty dumb move on Maryland's part though as a bunch of folks have just dumped their EZ-Pass accounts, increasing the need for paid toll-collection personnel. Let's spend lots of money on this great automated system and then do everything we can to reduce the demand for it... great idea.
Thanks!
- Phil
didn't read all the replies ....
I had an EZ Pass from the Delaware River Port Authority headquartered in New Jersey, originally it was free, but they started to charge $1 a month. I didn't use it often enough at that time to justify the cost so I dropped it.
I live in Pennsylvania and got one from the Turnpike Commission, $3 per pass per year, I have one for my motorcycle and one for the car so I pay $6 a year for the two. I use EZ pass roads and bridges a little more often now and it is definitely worth the price to not wait in line to pay a toll. The motorcycle pass gets a discount on the PA tolls roads.
ETA I see the fee has been raised to $6 a year, still worth it to not sit in line.
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .
not necessarily
I check my I-Pass account online and it shows the time, lane and the vehicle in the transaction.
What shows is the vehicle the transponder that was used is registered to if, you used that transponder on a different vehicle it would still show the "other" vehicle on your online record.
I have two EZ passes, one for my car one for my motorcycle, I had dropped my motorcycle off for service one time and took the EZ pass off the bike and went through an EZ Pass lane in my car with the motorcycle pass in the car too, in a bag. When I checked my monthly statement online both passes were charged.
I had to file a claim to refund the motorcycle pass charge explaining what happened.
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .
On the way
I live in Ohio, but have my from Mass - where there is NO fee. Works great - only pay for what you use, when you use it.
Go to masspike.gov ... When it forwards you to the EZPass website, indicate your state is MASS. Once you're on the Mass site, enter your correct state for registration. You'll get a FREE EZPass with no monthly fees!
Awesome info... looks like that's the Fast Lane program, is that correct? Apparently Fast Lane is accepted wherever EZ-Pass is accepted so that works for us.
Also, masspike.gov appears to be invalid - looks like the correct address is massdot.state.ma.us.
- Phil
Ordered our Fast Lane transponder last week so it's on the way. Thanks again to everyone who contributed to this discussion, I'll post here to let you know how it goes once it arrives and I've had a chance to look at the account. There's even an option to have them send you email updates on your account status, which we selected... saves $$ and trees.
- Phil
SunPass
Having had I-Pass in Illinois for more than a decade, I actually question the need for transponders any more. I noticed on my online statement that shows each and every toll booth you pass through that some of the entries had "VTOLL" as the transaction code. That means that the transponder did not work and they did photo recognition on my license plate to charge the toll. Since photo recognition techniques are so common today with red light cameras for example, why bother with the transponder system any more?
This is what they're moving towards in FL with SunPass. Just take a snapshot of the license plate and send the bill.
what about
Having had I-Pass in Illinois for more than a decade, I actually question the need for transponders any more. I noticed on my online statement that shows each and every toll booth you pass through that some of the entries had "VTOLL" as the transaction code. That means that the transponder did not work and they did photo recognition on my license plate to charge the toll. Since photo recognition techniques are so common today with red light cameras for example, why bother with the transponder system any more?
This is what they're moving towards in FL with SunPass. Just take a snapshot of the license plate and send the bill.
that works great if your driving your own car, but what about a rental???
Rental
They have a deal with the rental companies to charge you. I think you're better off with having a portable SunPass, though. It's something like $x/day + usage.
If you have a portable transponder than it's just the toll.
The transponder has entered the building...
Ordered our Fast Lane transponder last week so it's on the way. Thanks again to everyone who contributed to this discussion, I'll post here to let you know how it goes once it arrives and I've had a chance to look at the account. There's even an option to have them send you email updates on your account status, which we selected... saves $$ and trees.
- Phil
Just to keep everyone posted, our Fast Lane transponder arrived on Thursday, so looks like all is well. We're probably going to get the chance to use it tomorrow so I'll take a look at the account after that and make sure everything is in order.
If enough folks start doing this, it wouldn't surprise me to see Maryland and other "fee states" trying to add a surcharge to out-of-state EZ-Pass holders every time they used a MD toll facility. As some folks mentioned before this is probably illegal but I don't think that has stopped our present leader in the past. They could probably get around it by raising the tolls and then "discounting" them back down for in-state EZ-Pass holders. Hopefully none of the government leaders read this thread because they'd probably see this as a great idea.
- Phil
Keep us posted!
I for one, am about to get an out of state transponder, so keep us posted!
What ought to be illegal is creating a toll road across two counties (that's been needed for congestion for 15 years), has no on-site method of taking your money, and charging double the toll if you don't pay $21 plus $18/year for a transponder.
It's about the Line- If a line can be drawn between the powers granted and the rights retained, it would seem to be the same thing, whether the latter be secured by declaring that they shall not be abridged, or that the former shall not be extended.
ez pass
I also live in Fla full time, do not have any passes but would like to know how one goes about getting one and what all are they good for. Thanks
I couldn't agree more
I for one, am about to get an out of state transponder, so keep us posted!
Will do.
What ought to be illegal is creating a toll road across two counties (that's been needed for congestion for 15 years), has no on-site method of taking your money, and charging double the toll if you don't pay $21 plus $18/year for a transponder.
AMEN!
Not In FL
I also live in Fla full time, do not have any passes but would like to know how one goes about getting one and what all are they good for. Thanks
E-ZPass is not accepted in Florida. Looks like you use SunPass on the Turnpike and other toll roads, and it is not part of the E-ZPass network...
http://www.e-zpassny.com/en/about/facilities.shtml
https://www.sunpass.com/index
The Moose Is Loose! nuvi 760
Got a notice regarding lack of use
I apologize if this was already mentioned. I have a VA issued tag. I really don't use it much, generally only when traveling for vacation and such. While there is no monthly fee, you are required to use it at least once every six months. For various reasons I had not used mine in well over that, and almost exactly one year to the day since I last used it I received a letter asking me to return it, or call and request they keep it active, which I did. Coincidentally I had just used it a few days prior to receiving the letter, so when I called they had at least some indication that I intended to continue using it, not just me saying I would. You have to respond to the letter either by contacting them about keeping the account open, or by closing the account, otherwise after 30 days they will close the account. What I don't know is if the timer is automatically reset by using it even after receiving notice. My father-in-law got the same notice some months before I did, but he chose to close the account.
Used our Fast Lane EZ-Pass Saturday night without incident
Had to go through the Harbor Tunnel Saturday night and came back early Sunday morning without any trouble - and the correct amounts posted to the account without any extra "O'Maryland" fees.
The MassDOT account manager screen shows the date/time, transponder number and entry/exit lane. The times aren't quite right and they're off by different amounts for the two transactions so it isn't a consistent offset, but they're within a few hours of the correct time.
So far I have to say that this is a great alternative. Hats off to responsible states like Massachusetts who still put driver convenience and environmental concerns ahead of revenue - instead of encouraging long lines of vehicles idling in toll collection lanes, polluting the environment and wasting fuel.
- Phil
Having given up my EZ Pass
Having given up my EZ Pass over a year ago for lack of use, I have not had any difficulty using plain old cash. I returned yesterday afternoon from the NJ shore during bigtime thunderstorms & the wait at the Harbor tunnel was not more than 5 minutes. Other waits along 95 in MD & Deleware were even less. I'm sure it isn't the same during big holidays, but I don't tend to travel on those days.
As far as I'm concerned, Governor O'Malley can use his taxing EZ Pass in unmentionable ways.
Fred
New York State
Get your E-ZPass from New York State. New York's program is easy and they have no fees. Go to e-zpassny.com and click on the "Sign Up Now" button, then on the next page where it says "please select the state in which you reside" click on "New York" to avoid being redirected back to you home state. Don't worry, on the following pages you will be able to navigate through to the real sign-up page where you can put in your correct address and license plate information.
Just like Massachusetts
That's just like Massachusetts, which is where I got mine (I live in MD).
Still going strong and I'm not looking back. Now Maryland is talking about reducing/eliminating the fees for "certain drivers", probably those who use it a lot like during their daily commute. I guess they underestimated the mass exodus (Mass. exodus?...) of folks who either just dropped it or got one out of state. I think they're talking about charging a higher toll for non-pass holders too.
- Phil
NJ EZ Pass
I live in NJ, account is in NY. But I definitely agree with TheProf
$1.00 per month, administrative fee. But worth every penny when I zoom by the long lines at the 1 or 2 manual toll booths they now have open, even during rush hours.
Worth it, just great to not have to worry about looking for money for tolls and not having to wait in line to continue a trip. Seems much safer also.
Good luck to all.
No matter where you are "Life is Worth Living".
Mass exodus
Smile of the week!
I'm a MD - Mass.'er as well.
That's just like Massachusetts, which is where I got mine (I live in MD).
Still going strong and I'm not looking back. Now Maryland is talking about reducing/eliminating the fees for "certain drivers", probably those who use it a lot like during their daily commute. I guess they underestimated the mass exodus
(Mass. exodus?...)
of folks who either just dropped it or got one out of state. I think they're talking about charging a higher toll for non-pass holders too.
- Phil
I used to live in MD and had
I used to live in MD and had the EZ-Pass but live in NC now. I kept the EZ-Pass. When they started charging the monthly fee, I started looking around. I am now using the MA Fast Pass. I have one for my car and they sent another one free for my wife's car. I have never used it in MA but use it in MD and on the WV turnpike regularly.
David
Live in MD and have the Mass
Live in MD and have the Mass one too!
EZPass Fees
I would not be surprised if in the near future, there are extra costs to use EZ-pass in different states and at different times of the day.
save whose money?
it does not make sense to charge monthly account fee when using EZpass can really reduce the cost of hiring workers at toll booth.
I may opt to pay cash if it turns out I am paying more than what others are.
Why save money when we can profit by wasting it?
it does not make sense to charge monthly account fee when using EZpass can really reduce the cost of hiring workers at toll booth.
I may opt to pay cash if it turns out I am paying more than what others are.
I totally agree. Why should we pay to save them money?
As far as fees for out of state passholders go, not sure what the rules are but it would make sense for them not to do that. The whole idea is to have an interoperable system where the states cooperate and everyone wins. If I start charging your state's passholders an extra fee, then you're going to do the same to mine.
Of course when there's money involved, all common sense goes out the window.
- Phil
Greed is the word
As far as fees for out of state passholders go, not sure what the rules are but it would make sense for them not to do that. The whole idea is to have an interoperable system where the states cooperate and everyone wins. If I start charging your state's passholders an extra fee, then you're going to do the same to mine.
Of course when there's money involved, all common sense goes out the window.
- Phil
Yeah, definitely. Trade wars erupt between nations when one country starts slapping tariffs on imported goods, and the other nation feels obligated to retaliate. All it takes is one greedy entity that thinks they can get away with it.
JMoo On
EZ Pass Restrictions
I would not be surprised if in the near future, there are extra costs to use EZ-pass in different states and at different times of the day.
I wouldn't be surprised if one day you're required to get an EZ-Pass from the state you reside in (assuming you want one)...no more "bargain shopping" from other states.
Not saving you money!
it does not make sense to charge monthly account fee when using EZpass can really reduce the cost of hiring workers at toll booth.
I may opt to pay cash if it turns out I am paying more than what others are.
Well ATMs were supposed to save time and/or money now they slap every fee they can get away with on those.
EZ PASS
I have Also EZ pass ,here in Ohio is .75 cents a month I hear that in NY they are no monthly charge is this true?
I love the EZ pass it save me time and go throug the toll faster..
MD is interesting
We have a decal for the Hatem Bridge which is $5, and the decal is good for unlimited crossings. The decal cost $10. On the second year, we handed in the decal and got another new decal good for another year. I wonder if the 3rd year will be free as well? And this is a $5 toll parallel to I-95. That's the fee structure I like. And proof that tolls are highly unneeded (they may have been needed during construction but hardly today).
We have EZPass in NJ, it's $1 per month, and we have 4 tags. I'm not sure how much time a person wants to spend researching how to get around a $1/mo. fee for 4 cars and 4 tags imho.
MD figured out how to do math
We have a decal for the Hatem Bridge which is $5, and the decal is good for unlimited crossings. The decal cost $10. On the second year, we handed in the decal and got another new decal good for another year. I wonder if the 3rd year will be free as well? And this is a $5 toll parallel to I-95. That's the fee structure I like. And proof that tolls are highly unneeded (they may have been needed during construction but hardly today).
We have EZPass in NJ, it's $1 per month, and we have 4 tags. I'm not sure how much time a person wants to spend researching how to get around a $1/mo. fee for 4 cars and 4 tags imho.
Ah, but the above could not be indefinite because money is involved, huh? Just checked online and the toll went up to $6. In 9/12, they will eliminate this decal and start using EZPass solely. I guess they finally figured out how to do math in MD (a $5 toll, a $10 decal good for unlimited trips for a year....DOH!!)
ez pass MA
Hey All,
So just to make things clear...the "Fast Lane" transponder works in MD/VA? and other east coast states that use the ez pass. I just want to make sure before I get the MA fast lane transponder that it will work just like an ez pass.
Thanks!
Texas
I may have already answered this, but yes, we bought a highway pass in Texas to use their "pass only" shortcut highways.
Originator of Keeping Your Windmill Alive. Live in MA & have a cooking website. 6 yr. member. http://kitchentoysmakecookingfun.blogspot.com/
True for right now.
I also live in Fla full time, do not have any passes but would like to know how one goes about getting one and what all are they good for. Thanks
E-ZPass is not accepted in Florida. Looks like you use SunPass on the Turnpike and other toll roads, and it is not part of the E-ZPass network...
http://www.e-zpassny.com/en/about/facilities.shtml
https://www.sunpass.com/index
On the SunPass website in the news, they say they are working on being compatible with the E-Pass system. I would love that, I have a SunPass as well as a Mass. Turnpike Fast Lane. This news was sent in an email to subscribers of SunPass, but here is the same information:
http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/5306
Illinois
The Illinois Tollway says a software bug affected the bank accounts of about 4,500 drivers with I-PASS accounts...
The tollway also was consulting with banks to ensure that drivers don't get hit with overdraft fees if money gets withdrawn incorrectly from their accounts.
1490LMT 1450LMT 295w
EZ Pass
The EZ-Pass is very convenient but does anyone realize on Fridays or weekends or days up to a holiday, the cash lane is all croweded and overspills onto EZ-Pass lanes?
That's something really annoying to me...
-Chris
I have seen the ez-pass line backed up.
The EZ-Pass is very convenient but does anyone realize on Fridays or weekends or days up to a holiday, the cash lane is all croweded and overspills onto EZ-Pass lanes?
That's something really annoying to me...
And the cash lane open. I choose the cash lane and use the ez-pass.
Nuvi 2460LMT.
i have seen this as well
The EZ-Pass is very convenient but does anyone realize on Fridays or weekends or days up to a holiday, the cash lane is all croweded and overspills onto EZ-Pass lanes?
That's something really annoying to me...
And the cash lane open. I choose the cash lane and use the ez-pass.
Unfortunately it is due to a non-ezpass driver in the ezpass only lane. Worst case was a woman who got out of her minivan and walked away to look for someone that worked there. Only one lane accepted ezpass, I had nowhere to go.
Streetpilot C340 Nuvi 2595 LMT
Go Figure I Switched My NJ EZ-Pass (be careful)
In my research it is not clear as to where savings MIGHT be! If you use the NJ/NY crossings the EZPass (EZP) toll discounts might not apply if the EZP was not issued from NJ/NY/PA. I have not been able to confirm this.
I am a NJ resident & have a NY EZP. NY does not charge NY residents a service but my NY EZP does charge me $1/month. If I change to NJ EZP I'll get charged an additional $1/bi-month for the bill (email or mail). That would be $18/year, used or not. I then could apply for senior discount 10% on NJtpk & GSP. Whippy do! Since I don't travel those roads that much I don't think the discounts would offset the fees.
I'm looking for something better but not sure if there is anything better. If I went for the MA EZP I understand there is no service, bill, etc fees. BUT, I think the NJ/NY crossing discounts go out the window.
__ John - nüvi® 660
Seconded on I-Zoom
Called I-Zoom here in Indiana also recognized I think in 23 or 26 other states. $1.00 per month, administrative fee. But worth every penny when I zoom by the long lines at the 1 or 2 manual toll booths they now have open, even during rush hours.
It's my understanding that Indiana has, hands down, the cheapest EZ-Pass compatible system in the US (it's something like $15-20 for the receiver, which they also give you in free credit).
Not a huge thing for me to worry on at present as I live in a state that's closed its last toll roads (KY pretty much requires tolls to be removed once the construction bond is paid off) and don't drive much in EZ-Pass territory save for Chicago now and again...but we're also about to get NEW projects up and running that WILL be toll, and if they don't go to the "take piccie of license plate and send bill" system like what is used on Colorado's E-470 or the tollway up in Toronto, I'd expect they would go to something EZ-Pass compatible.
If I headed up to Chicago enough, I'd seriously consider I-Zoom, though--pretty much it's cheaper than the Illinois DOT options, and it works just fine for I-Pass.
And some states may go ENTIRELY to "toll by license plate"
Having had I-Pass in Illinois for more than a decade, I actually question the need for transponders any more. I noticed on my online statement that shows each and every toll booth you pass through that some of the entries had "VTOLL" as the transaction code. That means that the transponder did not work and they did photo recognition on my license plate to charge the toll. Since photo recognition techniques are so common today with red light cameras for example, why bother with the transponder system any more?
This is what they're moving towards in FL with SunPass. Just take a snapshot of the license plate and send the bill.
Some states are proposing going even further--doing away with transponders AND toll booths and just snap-shotting the license plate and sending the bill there.
Toronto actually has a system like this on the E-407 (a toll road meant as a major alternative route to the Queensway), and Kentucky is seriously discussing this as the main toll option for the Ohio River Bridges project in Louisville.
(Of note, Kentucky has never moved to any kind of electronic tolling system--when there were still existing toll roads in the state, you paid...by coin...and got a ticket to give at the end. Ohio Turnpike, to my knowledge, STILL operates like this.
(And yes, note that I said "when we had toll roads"; we actually have laws in place that prohibit the state DOT or tollway authority from using toll roads as a perpetual funding source, and state law requires tolls to be removed once construction bonds get paid off (our last toll roads went to freeways a year or two ago, if memory serves me right). Nothing prohibits them from making NEW roads paid by tolls that would have the construction bonds paid by toll (proposed for the Ohio River Bridges and parts of I-69 and I-66 in KY--the latter two are largely on formerly-tolled parkways that will be re-tolled to pay to build them up to interstate standards and to build new sections of I-66)...but for now, until actual construction begins on the Ohio River Bridges Project and I-69 and I-66, our tollway authority is literally an officially dormant wing of the state department of transportation. )
New York State (will charge out of state accounts)
Be aware if you open an account with NY EZPass & the account address is out of NY State you will be charged $1/month service fee.
__ John - nüvi® 660
Not Saving You Money! (Monopoly??)
it does not make sense to charge monthly account fee when using EZpass can really reduce the cost of hiring workers at toll booth.
I may opt to pay cash if it turns out I am paying more than what others are.
Well ATMs were supposed to save time and/or money now they slap every fee they can get away with on those.
You have a choice as to what bank you have your ATM card. Currently EZPass is a monopoly. But then again, the government (local or otherwise) is a monopoly! Yes, you can wait on long lines & pay cash. EZPass started out well & now has turned into a mess. My opinion.
__ John - nüvi® 660
Anyone use NY-NJ x-ing with a NON NY/NJ/PA EZPass?
I'd like to know if there is anyone out there that has an EZPass issued from a state other than NY, NJ or PA that has gone through any of the NY to NJ crossings. This would include the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, the George Washington, Bayonne and Goethals bridges, and the Outerbridge Crossing. If so, what was the toll charged?
The reason for the question is if you have a NY/NJ/PA EZPass, there is a 3 tier toll structure. See the following link:
http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/tolls.html
The question is, does an out of state (NY, NJ or PA) EZPass offer the same discount for these crossings?
__ John - nüvi® 660
no difference to me
I just looked up my statement against the fee schedule. It was charged same EZ-Pass rate as these three states. Interesting to know that Saturday/Sunday is also peak time which I did not know.
EZP issue state
I just looked up my statement against the fee schedule. It was charged same EZ-Pass rate as these three states. Interesting to know that Saturday/Sunday is also peak time which I did not know.
abin,
Would you mind indicating which state your EZP was issued from? Right now I'm leaning towards getting one from MA (if I can!) Thanks to the chart from JD4x4 that looks like the best one so far.
JD4x4 chart link:
http://www.jd4x4.net/EZPass/
As stated previously I live in NJ, have a NY EZP and get charged $1/month just to have the x-ponder. If I got a NJ EZP I'd get charted $1.50/month and would be eligible for a senior discount (10% off GSP & NJ Tpk at special times). The 10% would not offset the $18/year fees (NJ EZP) for me. I do use the NJ/NY crossings so the reduced fees for using EZP is important.
NY/NJ crossing tolls:
http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/tolls.html
__ John - nüvi® 660
It is VA
John,
Mine is with Virginia.
Still investigating
John,
Mine is with Virginia.
I'm still looking into this but when I called MA I found out I wouldn't get the EZP discount for the NJ/NY crossings. I'd be paying the cash rate even using EZP.
__ John - nüvi® 660
MD resident, DE EZPass
When MD started their monthly fee I switched to DE.
1 time $25 deposit, and fill account with $25 credit card, auto replenish to $25 when low. Be sure to get the DE state issued EZPass, not the DE Bridge Authority EZPass (monthly fee).
So far no monthly fee, just the initial fee and deposit for transponder. Works in all east coast EZPass lanes MD to RI, over the Newport Bridge.
My son whose license plate is listed as a valid user has used the new ICC (cashless) in MD (4 times) w/o the transponder. I noticed it on the quarterly statement and questioned him, there was no extra/penalty fee (so far). I guess the cameras just automatically charges my account.
If you're a EZPass commuter the monthly fee isn't that big a percentage. I only use it 5-6 times a year- vacations and visiting relatives, the monthly fee is just plain outrageous, paying the cash toll fees but getting the time savings is worth it for me.
My nuvi has shown me easy (less than 5 min) detours around toll plazas, especially the one that is just out of MD and into DE.
Investigating on hold
John,
Mine is with Virginia.
I'm still looking into this but when I called MA I found out I wouldn't get the EZP discount for the NJ/NY crossings. I'd be paying the cash rate even using EZP.
Just so happens I received replacement EZP tags (3) & mailed the old ones back. No charge for this (so far) so I'm going to sit on it for a while. I intend to post updates on the issue when I find them.
__ John - nüvi® 660
I'm in IL, friends and family bought passes here
I live in Illinois and have had friends and family buy passes in IL. I have not heard of any problems from them. Just saved them money since they live in MD.
I'm In Connecticut
We don't even have tolls or EZ-Pass.
I think I'm signed up with NJ or NY EZ-Pass.
When you are dead, you don’t know that you are dead. It is only difficult for the others. It is the same when you are stupid.