WWYD-EZ pass issue

[Anonymous]

I live in DC, rarely hit any toll roads. If I do hit the Dulles toll road or Bay bridge, I can go online and pay the EZ pass toll within a few days of the drive.
I just ran into an issue on my NJ trip, where I had been paying cash in the non-EZpass lanes, but ran into a highway section with all lanes EZ pass. I checked online after the trip but website said that I couldn't pay the toll till I had a toll violation number by mail.
I waited for the mail violation, and it came with a 50 dollar administration fee pus the 7 dollar toll!!! As instructed, I paid the 7 dollar toll, filled out the dispute section explaining the toll was only missed (one of 7 or 8 on my trip) because there were no manned booths on that toll plaza.
Just got a second notice in the mail for the administrative fee with no explanation or acknowledgement of my dispute...not denied/under review, nada, doesn't mention the 7 dollars paid etc.
WWYD?
1. Shell out $50
2. Refile the dispute
3. Nothing

Does DC cooperate with other jurisdictions over toll administration? Can out of state toll violations affect your DC vehicle tag renewal?

EZ pass sucks, I don't know why there are different rules in MD vs NJ when it's the same company

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in DC, rarely hit any toll roads. If I do hit the Dulles toll road or Bay bridge, I can go online and pay the EZ pass toll within a few days of the drive.
I just ran into an issue on my NJ trip, where I had been paying cash in the non-EZpass lanes, but ran into a highway section with all lanes EZ pass. I checked online after the trip but website said that I couldn't pay the toll till I had a toll violation number by mail.
I waited for the mail violation, and it came with a 50 dollar administration fee pus the 7 dollar toll!!! As instructed, I paid the 7 dollar toll, filled out the dispute section explaining the toll was only missed (one of 7 or 8 on my trip) because there were no manned booths on that toll plaza.
Just got a second notice in the mail for the administrative fee with no explanation or acknowledgement of my dispute...not denied/under review, nada, doesn't mention the 7 dollars paid etc.
WWYD?
1. Shell out $50
2. Refile the dispute
3. Nothing

Does DC cooperate with other jurisdictions over toll administration? Can out of state toll violations affect your DC vehicle tag renewal?

EZ pass sucks, I don't know why there are different rules in MD vs NJ when it's the same company

OMG, I had the same issue late last week in NJ. Many of the toll booths were closed because of the air quality from the Canadian fires, but some were open and those that were looked to be mainly EZ Pass lanes. This is after the fact, but what helped me is the GoToll app on my phone, where all of those toll charges go automatically since I don't use EZPass. You just put a CC on file and you can pay the tolls after the trip directly from that app. It was confusing as hell, though, because I couldn't tell if the app would pick up those specific tolls (in NJ) and there was NO ONE there to take my money.

I'd dispute that $50 fee completely.

[Anonymous]

Just dispute it.

But also, get an EZPass. It's honestly easier to just have one then to deal with this nonsense.

[Anonymous]

I had an issue recently where for some reason it didn't read my EZ Pass correctly on the 66 HOT lanes out west. I followed the instructions to file a dispute and provided a bunch of documentation that my account had money on it, etc. and then they followed up with ANOTHER notice where they'd doubled the fines and added more administrative fees. So then I sent a more formal letter with even more documentation - I haven't heard from them since, but we'll see how it goes. I think their administration must be really terrible and it makes me wonder if there are some predatory billing practices going on.

[Anonymous]

I had the same issue recently. I called and they said my dispute was accepted - it just took longer than it took to send out the follow up.

I would pick up the phone and call if you can.

[Anonymous]

This is the cost of tilting at windmills.

I would just get an EZpass to make this not any more difficult than it needs to be.

[Anonymous]

Why is it that you don’t want an ex pass?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had the same issue recently. I called and they said my dispute was accepted - it just took longer than it took to send out the follow up.

I would pick up the phone and call if you can.

I second talking to a real person. And I also agree you need to get an EZ Pass or find an alternate, no-toll, route.

[Anonymous]

Get an EZ Pass. that is why the admin fee is high--this is a PITA for the workers too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just dispute it.

But also, get an EZPass. It's honestly easier to just have one then to deal with this nonsense.

I agree. I held out forever, but it's not worth fighting it any more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in DC, rarely hit any toll roads. If I do hit the Dulles toll road or Bay bridge, I can go online and pay the EZ pass toll within a few days of the drive.
I just ran into an issue on my NJ trip, where I had been paying cash in the non-EZpass lanes, but ran into a highway section with all lanes EZ pass. I checked online after the trip but website said that I couldn't pay the toll till I had a toll violation number by mail.
I waited for the mail violation, and it came with a 50 dollar administration fee pus the 7 dollar toll!!! As instructed, I paid the 7 dollar toll, filled out the dispute section explaining the toll was only missed (one of 7 or 8 on my trip) because there were no manned booths on that toll plaza.
Just got a second notice in the mail for the administrative fee with no explanation or acknowledgement of my dispute...not denied/under review, nada, doesn't mention the 7 dollars paid etc.
WWYD?
1. Shell out $50
2. Refile the dispute
3. Nothing

Does DC cooperate with other jurisdictions over toll administration? Can out of state toll violations affect your DC vehicle tag renewal?

EZ pass sucks, I don't know why there are different rules in MD vs NJ when it's the same company

If a non-state agency administers the tolls, sue them in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had an issue recently where for some reason it didn't read my EZ Pass correctly on the 66 HOT lanes out west. I followed the instructions to file a dispute and provided a bunch of documentation that my account had money on it, etc. and then they followed up with ANOTHER notice where they'd doubled the fines and added more administrative fees. So then I sent a more formal letter with even more documentation - I haven't heard from them since, but we'll see how it goes. I think their administration must be really terrible and it makes me wonder if there are some predatory billing practices going on.

I got a toll violation for the 66 hot lanes. I have my ez pass set to pay by plate, instead of using a transponder, so I assume that’s why I got the violation. This is from the 66 express lanes FAQs:

To use the express lanes, drivers will be required to have an E-ZPass transponder mounted inside their vehicle, which can be placed in “flex mode” when traveling HOV-3+.

[Anonymous]

What you do is call them. It's very common for them to send you a notice where you are already late but if you call, it's forgiven. My pass stopped working and I got an envelope with about 30 or more tolls.

Also, get the EZpass. You can't drive around here without it and they stopped manned booths during Covid. Some highways never had them. Get with the program.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why you just don’t get an eZ pass transponder. You pay cheaper tolls anyway with one. Seems ridiculous and short sighted to go to all this trouble to have to go online after you travel to find the tolls and pay them. What are you trying to prove by not having one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in DC, rarely hit any toll roads. If I do hit the Dulles toll road or Bay bridge, I can go online and pay the EZ pass toll within a few days of the drive.
I just ran into an issue on my NJ trip, where I had been paying cash in the non-EZpass lanes, but ran into a highway section with all lanes EZ pass. I checked online after the trip but website said that I couldn't pay the toll till I had a toll violation number by mail.
I waited for the mail violation, and it came with a 50 dollar administration fee pus the 7 dollar toll!!! As instructed, I paid the 7 dollar toll, filled out the dispute section explaining the toll was only missed (one of 7 or 8 on my trip) because there were no manned booths on that toll plaza.
Just got a second notice in the mail for the administrative fee with no explanation or acknowledgement of my dispute...not denied/under review, nada, doesn't mention the 7 dollars paid etc.
WWYD?
1. Shell out $50
2. Refile the dispute
3. Nothing

Does DC cooperate with other jurisdictions over toll administration? Can out of state toll violations affect your DC vehicle tag renewal?

EZ pass sucks, I don't know why there are different rules in MD vs NJ when it's the same company

We got hit with a huge bill when we had the same issue in several states.

I ended up buying an EZ pass and keeping it replenished each year as it way cheaper for interstate travel.