EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

Im not sure how many people here have EZ Passes, but VA plans to start charging $1 a month per transponder. F that noise!

[URL="http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=23706"]Land Line Magazine: The Business Magazine for Professional Truckers[/URL]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]VDOT is accepting public comments until next week on the proposed fee which is set to start in July. Im definitely going to cancel my [I][FONT=Verdana]Virginia [/FONT][/I]EZ Pass just on principle. However the good news for everyone is that you can get an EZ Pass from other states and use it in yours without issue. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]The wiki shows a chart of fees by states. It appears Massachusetts has the best pricing. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-ZPass"]E-ZPass - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/URL]

People from other states may also benefit by changing where they get their EZ Pass from. MD actually seems to have a pretty good deal if you use your pass in MD.

Just a FYI.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mlmpetert;919834]Im not sure how many people here have EZ Passes, but VA plans to start charging $1 a month per transponder. F that noise!

[URL="http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=23706"]Land Line Magazine: The Business Magazine for Professional Truckers[/URL]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]VDOT is accepting public comments until next week on the proposed fee which is set to start in July. [B]Im definitely going to cancel my [I][FONT=Verdana]Virginia [/FONT][/I]EZ Pass just on principle. However the good news for everyone is that you can get an EZ Pass from other states and use it in yours without issue[/B]. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]The wiki shows a chart of fees by states. It appears Massachusetts has the best pricing. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-ZPass"]E-ZPass - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/URL]

People from other states may also benefit by changing where they get their EZ Pass from. MD actually seems to have a pretty good deal if you use your pass in MD.

Just a FYI.[/quote]

For a dollar a month I would gladly take the left hand lanes:

[IMG]https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ_Ii10o0bG0IM6NVAZRvtOJ8v7Q_hXYFinxqgU5A-t37Iv-SwDgA[/IMG]

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

yeah seriously ^^

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

I like the EZ Pass system its very convenient. But its convenient for VDOT too. Its a win win for both of us as it stands now. So to me it just seems like gouging. I just see no reason to give them a dollar when Massachusetts is happy to give me a tag for free.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

Might better get used to it, or move to MA

[QUOTE]In fact, 14 out of the 24 agencies in the E-ZPass network charge an administrative fee.[/QUOTE]

Probably won't be long til all are on board.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

My boss will be getting one when HOV on 95 turns into HOT lanes, we ride HOV every day from Woodbridge to Alexandria. Kinda sucks because once HOV turns to HOT lanes, there will be a lot more traffic on there due to single drivers paying to use the HOV lanes. But I'm sure it will be greatly beneficial to those who would rather pay more than sit in regular rush hour traffic.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mredskins;919837]For a dollar a month I would gladly take the left hand lanes:

[IMG]https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ_Ii10o0bG0IM6NVAZRvtOJ8v7Q_hXYFinxqgU5A-t37Iv-SwDgA[/IMG][/quote]

Did you read the article? 1.00 a month is just for maintenence on the eztag itself,that doesnt include tolls

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=htownskinfan;919850]Did you read the article? 1.00 a month is just for maintenence on the eztag itself,that doesnt include tolls[/quote]

Ah really??? No. I thought EZ Pass meant you got through faster and you didn't pay tolls.

Next you are going to tell me I need a car to drive through the lane.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mredskins;919852]Ah really??? No. I thought EZ Pass meant you got through faster and you didn't pay tolls.

[B]Next you are going to tell me I need a car to drive through the lane[/B].[/quote]

It's true, you DO need a car to get through the lane. ;)

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mooby;919861]It's true, you DO need a car to get through the lane. ;)[/quote]

FAWK! I thought for a buck I got unlimited tolls, open lanes and a car. Sh*t now I am pissed!

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mredskins;919868]FAWK! I thought for a buck I got unlimited tolls, open lanes and a car. Sh*t now I am pissed![/quote]

:laughing-

Reality is a rude bitch sometimes dude.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

I probably should have posted this from wiki to clear some things up:

[quote]E-ZPass users are not required to maintain their account with an agency in their home state. Subscribers can open an E-ZPass account with any member of the IAG regardless of residency. This means that users have the option of choosing an agency based on the fees that it charges, effectively allowing them to circumvent transponder and account maintenance fees.[/quote]


[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]All im trying to say is i think its bs that VDOT wants to make money off of us in order to make more money off of us. So while paying one dollar per month to pay my toll may be easier than waiting in the change lines to pay my toll, i find it even easier to pay zero dollars per month to pay my toll. The fine state of Massachusetts affords me and all others the ability to do this, as they have the easiest of EZ Passes.[/FONT][/COLOR]

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

As someone who frequently traveled back and forth between DC and Connecticut, EZ Pass is perhaps the best invention ever.

Going through those lanes vs. the standard toll lanes can save hours off a commute. So I'll gladly pay the $1/month "maintenance fee" I mean it's one dollar, one ****ing dollar.

I like what the new ICC in Maryland has. There's a toll fee but you don't have to stop, or even slow down. You just keep driving and cameras (I'm guessing they're cameras) note when you pass through checkpoints and deduct off your EZ Pass

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mlmpetert;919872]I probably should have posted this from wiki to clear some things up:




[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]All im trying to say is i think its bs that VDOT wants to make money off of us in order to make more money off of us. So while paying one dollar per month to pay my toll may be easier than waiting in the change lines to pay my toll, i find it even easier to pay zero dollars per month to pay my toll. The fine state of Massachusetts affords me and all others the ability to do this, as they have the easiest of EZ Passes.[/FONT][/COLOR][/quote]

Dude it is a buck, move on, pick your battles.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=SmootSmack;919873]As someone who frequently traveled back and forth between DC and Connecticut, EZ Pass is perhaps the best invention ever.

Going through those lanes vs. the standard toll lanes can save hours off a commute. So I'll gladly pay the $1/month "maintenance fee" I mean it's one dollar, one ****ing dollar.

I like what the new ICC in Maryland has. There's a toll fee but you don't have to stop, or even slow down. You just keep driving and cameras (I'm guessing they're cameras) note when you pass through checkpoints and deduct off your EZ Pass[/quote]

What the ICC is call EZ Pass Express, I think they have it now on the NJ Turnpike and in Delaware. It is pretty nice not having to slow down at all (I think the speed limit is 55 mph). The EZ Pass maintenance fee are def worth it.

[QUOTE=mooby;919845]My boss will be getting one when HOV on 95 turns into HOT lanes, we ride HOV every day from Woodbridge to Alexandria. Kinda sucks because once HOV turns to HOT lanes, there will be a lot more traffic on there due to single drivers paying to use the HOV lanes. But I'm sure it will be greatly beneficial to those who would rather pay more than sit in regular rush hour traffic.[/QUOTE]

I don't think that's how hot lanes work. I think if so many people are paying to use the lane the price will continue to go up until enough people are priced out to make it worth paying for the lane.

Its a great way for the state to make money while increasing the efficiency of the hov lane. Right now there are no limits for the lane.

I don't know how many additional people will start commuting because of this option. I would think that number would be negligible, but that's yet to be seen.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

That's one of the big fights going on around here in tidewater area. We are surrounded by water and they are adding tolls to all the major bridges and tunnels. I just live so I don't have to cross one everyday. I don't even have to get on an interstate if I don't want to. I just don't understand why some people live in one city and do eveything else in life in another city and then bitches about their drive everyday.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=hooskins;919898]I don't think that's how hot lanes work. I think if so many people are paying to use the lane the price will continue to go up until enough people are priced out to make it worth paying for the lane.

Its a great way for the state to make money while increasing the efficiency of the hov lane. Right now there are no limits for the lane.

I don't know how many additional people will start commuting because of this option. I would think that number would be negligible, but that's yet to be seen.[/quote]

From what I know the toll will be variable depending on when you use it, how many miles you use it, etc. I'm just saying with all the high income people that live in NoVa I wouldn't doubt that many of them wouldn't mind paying extra to shorten their commute time. Most of my info comes from here:

[url=http://virginiahotlanes.com/i95/project-info/faq.php]Virginia HOT Lanes[/url]

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mredskins;919837]For a dollar a month I would gladly take the left hand lanes:

[IMG]https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ_Ii10o0bG0IM6NVAZRvtOJ8v7Q_hXYFinxqgU5A-t37Iv-SwDgA[/IMG][/quote]

[YT]85cL1HisrNc[/YT]

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mredskins;919852]Ah really??? No. I thought EZ Pass meant you got through faster and you didn't pay tolls.

Next you are going to tell me I need a car to drive through the lane.[/quote]

No reason to be a smartass,from your post its not clear you understood how eztag works.:tongue

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

I was a bit perturbed when MD first instituted the monthly fee. I figured that the state was saving money by not having to man as many toll booths, and makes it much easier to facilitate toll collection via EZPass, yet they wanted to charge me $18 a year to use the system. But I then got complacent to change and never bothered to switch to another state's system. If mlmpetert hadn't posted the wiki link, I wouldn't have been prompted to log in and see that MD is discounting tolls 10%. Pretty cool.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=htownskinfan;919931]No reason to be a smartass,from your post its not clear you understood how eztag works.:tongue[/quote]

I on the other hand do not how they work because I live in a state without shitty toll booths/etc. (or any that i know of)

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=NC_Skins;919938]I on the other hand do not how they work because I live in a state without shitty toll booths/etc. (or any that i know of)[/quote]


When McDonell ran for Governer here he said he was going to put tolls on the NC boarder. I think its still a possability.

Ive been in Richmond for about 10 years and never dealt with tolls before i came here. I too hate them, but i think normally they are fair. Its an excise tax, but excise taxes are normally flat taxes so you can make the case that tolls hurt poorer people equally more (which i think is fair). Adding a "fee" to that hurts the poor even more.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;919937]I was a bit perturbed when MD first instituted the monthly fee. I figured that the state was saving money by not having to man as many toll booths, and makes it much easier to facilitate toll collection via EZPass, yet they wanted to charge me $18 a year to use the system. But I then got complacent to change and never bothered to switch to another state's system. If mlmpetert hadn't posted the wiki link, I wouldn't have been prompted to log in and see that MD is discounting tolls 10%. Pretty cool.[/quote]


You know i think that is really fair. If someone has a stagnant account charging a fee sounds resonable. If someone is usig there EZ Pass then dont charge them, or perhaps discount them since they are saving the state money in normal toll maintance.

I looked at the Mass. website the other day, it looks like they do something very simular. WV lets you pay $95 a year that allows you unlimited toll use in the state, kind of like how mredskins mistakenly thought the $1 per month would allow......

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mlmpetert;919976]When McDonell ran for Governer here he said he was going to put tolls on the NC boarder. I think its still a possability.

Ive been in Richmond for about 10 years and never dealt with tolls before i came here. I too hate them, but i think normally they are fair. Its an excise tax, but excise taxes are normally flat taxes so you can make the case that tolls hurt poorer people equally more (which i think is fair). Adding a "fee" to that hurts the poor even more.[/quote]

All this talk of tolls, eazy pass or what the **** ever is not addressing the big issue which is the mismanagement within V-DOT and more important, the mismanagement of tax dollars within that department.

V-DOT(virginia department of transportation) is a damn disgrace. Im not gonna sit here and list the problems, just google VDOT mismanagement.

My opinion is this, when it comes to Northern Virginia wanting to build a nonstop surburbia mecca, constantly building new shittyer houes and all the roads and maintenance that comes along with it, their needs to higher revenues from that area to support it, instead of the entire state shelling out for it. And that goes for every locality in the state, they should break up the funding into sections and local road maintenance should be supported for that area. In the case of interstates and major highways, the state should support that.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Part of the problem i have with this fee is that they are going to use the money to get more EZ Passes in more cars. They want to start distributing them at DMV's, have a few EZ Pass stores and do promotions things. It worries me that our state would be pushing something on its citizens and charging them to do so. I also question if trying to get everyone to have an EZ Pass will eventually increase the volume of tolls we have in our state? [/FONT][/COLOR]

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mlmpetert;919979]You know i think that is really fair. If someone has a stagnant account charging a fee sounds resonable. If someone is usig there EZ Pass then dont charge them, or perhaps discount them since they are saving the state money in normal toll maintance.

I looked at the Mass. website the other day, it looks like they do something very simular. WV lets you pay $95 a year that allows you unlimited toll use in the state, [B]kind of like how mredskins mistakenly thought the $1 per month would allow......[/B][/quote]

Listen I completely understand how EZ PASS works I have had one for the past 10 years. Only a moron would think the $1 month covers the tolls and the transponder.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

BTW this should be in Debating with the Enemy, a forum I stay out of.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mlmpetert;919982][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Part of the problem i have with this fee is that they are going to use the money to get more EZ Passes in more cars. They want to start distributing them at DMV's, have a few EZ Pass stores and do promotions things. It worries me that our state would be pushing something on its citizens and charging them to do so. I also question if trying to get everyone to have an EZ Pass will eventually increase the volume of tolls we have in our state? [/FONT][/COLOR][/quote]

Oh oh and they probably can track us as well with them in our cars! OH MY GOD! SCARY!

Am I folding this right?

[IMG]http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRuTrtdOSdJIfq1zV2HF4EuSMZjKV5dLNsv6v1HURESjRezCkVCKA[/IMG]

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mredskins;919983]Listen I completely understand how EZ PASS works I have had one for the past 10 years. Only a moron would think the $1 month covers the tolls and the transponder.[/quote]


Come on i was clearly joking. Nearly everyone knew what you meant by you comment when you first posted it. If anything my comment was a dig at htownskinsfan.

Were you the one that gave this thread 1 star?????

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mredskins;919988]Oh oh and they probably can track us as well with them in our cars! OH MY GOD! SCARY!

Am I folding this right?

[/quote]

Im not trying to make this thing political at all. Maybe i just have too much compassion for the poor and those that may be taken advantage of.

And come on man everyone knows you EZ Passes can be used to track you. Its been well established for a while now:

[quote]

Of the 12 states in the Northeast and Midwest that are part of the E-ZPass system, agencies in seven states provide electronic toll information in response to court orders in criminal and civil cases, including divorces, according to an Associated Press survey.

In four of the 12 states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania, highway authorities release E-ZPass records only in criminal cases. West Virginia parkways authority has no policy.
[/quote]

[URL="http://forum.prisonplanet.com/index.php?topic=469.0;wap2"]Not So Fast: E-Z Pass Data Used To Catch Cheaters[/URL]

So if youre cheating on your wife now may prove to be a convenient time to drop your EZ Pass account. You can blame it on the man with his $1 dollar fee and she will never know.

[QUOTE=mlmpetert;920070]Come on i was clearly joking. Nearly everyone knew what you meant by you comment when you first posted it. If anything my comment was a dig at htownskinsfan.

Were you the one that gave this thread 1 star?????[/QUOTE]

No I didn't even know you could rate threads; being serious.

I havn't lived in va for years but what will HOT lanes do to slugging? If all those drivers just pay the fee to travel solo this could make the traffic much worse.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=VegasSkinsFan;920115]I havn't lived in va for years but what will HOT lanes do to slugging? If all those drivers just pay the fee to travel solo this could make the traffic much worse.[/quote]

Well as the saying goes, 3 ride free, so if you have 3 people in your car you're still able to ride for free. You still have to have an EZ-Pass transponder in your car though, they are coming out with a dual transponder that lets you switch between 3 people or less. If you have 2 or less people in your car you have to pay to ride, and the toll will be variable depending on certain conditions.

So long story short, 3 people ride for free, (free not counting the monthly fee you'll have to pay for your EZ-Pass transponder), 2 or less get charged a variable rate plus the monthly fee.

I'd imagine it will have minimal effect on slugging. It will put more traffic on the HOV lanes, because there's no shortage of people in NoVa that have enough income to pay to ride HOV.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mredskins;920094]No I didn't even know you could rate threads; being serious.[/quote]

How have you never realized that before?

I get that this thread may not be Excellent by any means, but 1 Star means that someone thought it was Terrible. Not Average, not Bad. Terrible.

Just makes me sad.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mooby;920147]

I'd imagine it will have minimal effect on slugging. It will put more traffic on the HOV lanes, because there's no shortage of people in NoVa that have enough income to pay to ride HOV.[/quote]


I dont live up there. In your opinion does most of the back up on 95 South come from where the HOV lanes on 95 end and merge back into the rest of 95 South?

Whenever im driving back to Richmond on a Sunday it seems that the congestion at that point is the primary root for the rest of the 95 South back up. If more people are driving in the HOV lanes im wondering if it could make the congestion worse, [COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]specifically [/FONT][/COLOR]for that area?

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mlmpetert;920155]I dont live up there. In your opinion does most of the back up on 95 South come from where the HOV lanes on 95 end and merge back into the rest of 95 South?

Whenever im driving back to Richmond on a Sunday it seems that the congestion at that point is the primary root for the rest of the 95 South back up. If more people are driving in the HOV lanes im wondering if it could make the congestion worse, [COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]specifically [/FONT][/COLOR]for that area?[/quote]

During rush hour it always backs up pretty bad on SB 95 where you cross the Occoquan River and it goes from 4 lanes to 3. I would say that's worse than where HOV ends, although it does slow down where HOV ends, but mostly for the HOV crowd.

As part of the project though they will be extending the HOV lanes down to Garrisonville (I think, it's either that or one of those towns down south like Aquia, but definitely not as far as Fredericksburg) so the backup where the HOV lanes end at Quantico shouldn't happen anymore. More info about it can be found here:

[url=http://www.vamegaprojects.com/about-megaprojects/i-95-hov-hot-lanes/]Virginia Megaprojects - I-95 HOV/HOT Lanes[/url]

Also according to that link the 95 HOV project is called the Express Lanes now to avoid confusion with the 495 HOT lanes project.

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=mlmpetert;920149]How have you never realized that before?

I get that this thread may not be Excellent by any means, but 1 Star means that someone thought it was Terrible. Not Average, not Bad. Terrible.

Just makes me sad.[/quote]

We're talking about $12...

I'll let Charles handle this

[IMG]http://imu.uiowa.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/turrible.jpg[/IMG]

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

[quote=Mattyk;920354]We're talking about [B]$12[/B]...

I'll let Charles handle this

[IMG]http://imu.uiowa.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/turrible.jpg[/IMG][/quote]

:laughing2


this thread belongs in the Warpath HOF

Re: EZ Pass Fees for VA and Other States
 

These ticky-tack additional fees by state agencies are merely an attempt to make citizens, who are already taxed for the construction, maintenance and use of the roads compliant to Big Government's further bilking. No objection will be raised at this b/c "it is only $12" and, as such, we enter the slippery slope of [i]error, qui non resistitur approbatur[/I].

At its heart, the administrative fees levied are an attempt by the multicultural nanny state to provide a candy coated poison to its citizenry in order to subtley drive us further [I]towards[/I] socialism and further [I]away[/I] from our country's judeo-christian value system. Ultimately, if these administrative charges are permitted to stand, fascist robot toll takers designed [I]ex cathedra[/I] by a consortium of beauracratic computer programmers will effectively prohibit all travel except by the very rich thereby causing a thermodorian reaction which will crash the US into the abyss of a neo-theological hierarchy through the destruction of trade and, consequently, the exchange of ideas. Ultimately, plunging the entire world into a new dark age and destroying all life as we know it.

<sarcasm font off> Just doing my bit to put us on the straight and narrow for the "Thread Hell" forum.