E-ZPass is a pain in the a$$ - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jplinville · #1 03-02-2012, 12:20 PM

In the last week, I've gotten no less than 8 violations for not using the turn pike properly, at a total of $54 each. It turns out that I needed to register my new license plate and vehicle with the PA turnpike so that it will work with my removable transponder.

This begs me to ask what would happen if I rented a vehicle, used my transponder on the turn pike, and didn't register it. Would the fine go to the rental company?

Anyway, after a phone call, all the violations were gone and appropriate charges were made to my account.

I really hate these toll roads here. To be able to get around them, you add about 50 or more miles to your drive. They increased the amounts again, for cash paying customers. At least they didn't increase the tolls to transponder owners.

tbomachines · #2 03-02-2012, 12:22 PM

If you just add your plate after the penalties they'll remove the violations and you'll have no charge. Its happened to me before. EZPass cuts at least 45 minutes off my drive between Hartford and Philly every time.

MS Fowler · #3 03-02-2012, 12:35 PM

If you own the EZ Pass, why is it necessary to register the vehicles with EZ Pass? Seems like just another hoop to be forced to jump thru.
They get their toll money, why does it matter if its my EZ Pass, or my friend's EZ Pass?

tbomachines · #4 03-02-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

If you own the EZ Pass, why is it necessary to register the vehicles with EZ Pass? Seems like just another hoop to be forced to jump thru.
They get their toll money, why does it matter if its my EZ Pass, or my friend's EZ Pass?

Because its a common theft item. If you don't know that its been stolen (i.e. if you don't travel toll roads very often) you can be surprised by a ton of charges.

jplinville · #5 03-02-2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

If you just add your plate after the penalties they'll remove the violations and you'll have no charge. Its happened to me before. EZPass cuts at least 45 minutes off my drive between Hartford and Philly every time.

Yeah...I just did that. The only charge was the tolls, not violations. I'm just not fond of the ideas of toll roads.

jplinville · #6 03-02-2012, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

Because its a common theft item. If you don't know that its been stolen (i.e. if you don't travel toll roads very often) you can be surprised by a ton of charges.

This is true, especially if you opted in for the automatic replenishment of the account through your bank account.

tbomachines · #7 03-02-2012, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplinville

Yeah...I just did that. The only charge was the tolls, not violations. I'm just not fond of the ideas of toll roads.

I'm with you on that one. The GW bridge costs $12 cash to cross!! EZpass gives a discount as an incentive to have it ($7.50)but its still a lot for a stinkin' bridge.

compu_85 · #8 03-02-2012, 01:12 PM

I've never had this problem with my iPass. I move it from vehicle to vehicle, and adding new plates is a snap on their website. I couldn't be happier with the service. (Yes, I made a field trip to Illinois to buy an IPass when I lived in Michigan, and now use it in DC).

-J

PaulC · #9 03-02-2012, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

I'm with you on that one. The GW bridge costs $12 cash to cross!! EZpass gives a discount as an incentive to have it ($7.50)but its still a lot for a stinkin' bridge.

The bridge toll is the least expensive part of a Manhattan experience...

cmac2012 · #10 03-02-2012, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

If you own the EZ Pass, why is it necessary to register the vehicles with EZ Pass? Seems like just another hoop to be forced to jump thru.
They get their toll money, why does it matter if its my EZ Pass, or my friend's EZ Pass?

Here in Cal with FasTrak, they want the lic. #s of the vehicles you would use the transponder with for the times when it doesn't register on the drive by thingie. When they take the picture of your plate, they can then find the correct account to bill.

I'm guessing it doesn't register on the sensor at least 10 maybe 20% of the time.

jplinville · #11 03-02-2012, 01:39 PM

Admittedly, it's my fault since I didn't register the new vehicle and plates. I'm just ranting, I guess.

HuskyMan · #12 03-02-2012, 01:49 PM

Kansas has signs posted, "Move to Kansas and drive for FREE".

compu_85 · #13 03-02-2012, 01:51 PM

Yes, but where is there to drive TO

-J

MS Fowler · #14 03-02-2012, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Here in Cal with FasTrak, they want the lic. #s of the vehicles you would use the transponder with for the times when it doesn't register on the drive by thingie. When they take the picture of your plate, they can then find the correct account to bill.

I'm guessing it doesn't register on the sensor at least 10 maybe 20% of the time.

And they can't research license plates w/o my registering with them. They assign the license plates--certainly they can look it up.

As for it being protection against theft-----Once more government wants to take care of me. Oh goodie! I am incapable of taking care of myself. No wonder Ron Paul is so popular.

spdrun · #15 03-02-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

I'm with you on that one. The GW bridge costs $12 cash to cross!! EZpass gives a discount as an incentive to have it ($7.50)but its still a lot for a stinkin' bridge.

The $4.50 is a privacy fee, or a privacy-rape discount, depending on how you look at it.