E-ZPass higher rates for out-of-state tags
Mon, 04/02/2018 - 10:40am
    15 years
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Do you think it's ok, for E-ZPass users to get charged more, because they are from another state?
I always knew about it in NYC, where say the Verrazano is $17 for everybody incl. out of state E-ZPass, but $11.52 for NY tags.
What I did not realize is MD, MA are two other examples where that is done, and I suppose there must be more examples.
Somehow, I don't think this is what the founders had in mind in 1987.
My pass is from Va. Cost me
My pass is from Va. Cost me $35. Which they used to preload the tag. No annual or monthly fee
Frank DriveSmart55 37.322760, -79.511267
I can
speak now with more experience.
Forget which authority's website because there are five toll authorities in NYS, but one had a faq stating do I have to live in NY to get a NY account, and the answer was no. It is no, I called them, but one of the websites states that.
There is NO monthly charge in NY, unless your tag was issued by PANYNJ. I think this is to have parity with NJ (it's a joint authority).
So having a NY acct is a no-brainer, for passing through NY. Most tolls are 32% less, but some over 50%, like the Henry Hudson, $6 cash/out-of-state E-ZPass, $2.64 for NY E-ZPass. This is the difference between being backed up to the GW Bridge on 87S, or simply smooth sailing all the way onto the beginning of the east tower of the GW. Can't even tell you how many minutes saved, 10-20? It's worth it to save the wear/tear on your vehicle, let alone your nerves
http://web.mta.info/bandt/traffic/btmain.html#cars
Conclusion, there is no downside to a NY E-ZPass, except that if you don't use it, it ties up minimum $25 of funds in your account. And the ESD bags work so that you can have more than one in your vehicle depending. Put the one not in use in the bag, no worries.
Again, NJ "DOES" offer a discount to NJ E-ZPass tags during the week, non-peak. I did not know that prior and they're the ones who started the war from what I can find. It backfired on NJ accounts, however. Why have an acct. in PA where there is no discount? Makes no sense.
Then the PANYNJ car pool plan which is applicable to NJ and NY accounts, c'mon now. $6.50 to use the Hudson River crossings vs. $15 cash or $12.50 E-ZPass. The savings is there for the taking.