Please explain the EZ pass system to me

[Anonymous]

In 2022, how do people not understand that you need a transponder on your windshield that can be read by the toll machines in order to qualify for ez pass. The transponders are not expensive.

You can use the flex ez pass in Virginia and you do NOT have to pay the rate if you have 3 people and the ez pass flex is indicated as HOV (it’s better to see in person). Otherwise you are charged be rate same as everyone else in that lane. This is only in Virginia.

I have a flex ez pass. It works in other states that take eZ pass and there is reciprocity in other states that don’t (like in NC). In many instances, the ez pass rate is cheaper than if you pay cash at the toll or if you get a paper bill.

Go get a transponder today. Also in Maryland there are HUGE problems with paper billing, service charges and predatory late fees. You will get screwed in MD without an ez pass that is correctly mounted. We have another house in MD and all my neighbors have been talking about this problem (and it’s been in the news). People getting huge paper bills, with late fees and interests in the thousands of dollars with less than a month to pay without ever getting a previous bill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In 2022, how do people not understand that you need a transponder on your windshield that can be read by the toll machines in order to qualify for ez pass. The transponders are not expensive.

You can use the flex ez pass in Virginia and you do NOT have to pay the rate if you have 3 people and the ez pass flex is indicated as HOV (it’s better to see in person). Otherwise you are charged be rate same as everyone else in that lane. This is only in Virginia.

I have a flex ez pass. It works in other states that take eZ pass and there is reciprocity in other states that don’t (like in NC). In many instances, the ez pass rate is cheaper than if you pay cash at the toll or if you get a paper bill.

Go get a transponder today. Also in Maryland there are HUGE problems with paper billing, service charges and predatory late fees. You will get screwed in MD without an ez pass that is correctly mounted. We have another house in MD and all my neighbors have been talking about this problem (and it’s been in the news). People getting huge paper bills, with late fees and interests in the thousands of dollars with less than a month to pay without ever getting a previous bill.

Give people a break! The EZ Pass system has only been around for 20+ years!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In 2022, how do people not understand that you need a transponder on your windshield that can be read by the toll machines in order to qualify for ez pass. The transponders are not expensive.

You can use the flex ez pass in Virginia and you do NOT have to pay the rate if you have 3 people and the ez pass flex is indicated as HOV (it’s better to see in person). Otherwise you are charged be rate same as everyone else in that lane. This is only in Virginia.

I have a flex ez pass. It works in other states that take eZ pass and there is reciprocity in other states that don’t (like in NC). In many instances, the ez pass rate is cheaper than if you pay cash at the toll or if you get a paper bill.

Go get a transponder today. Also in Maryland there are HUGE problems with paper billing, service charges and predatory late fees. You will get screwed in MD without an ez pass that is correctly mounted. We have another house in MD and all my neighbors have been talking about this problem (and it’s been in the news). People getting huge paper bills, with late fees and interests in the thousands of dollars with less than a month to pay without ever getting a previous bill.

Perhaps OP is European. Tolls are pay by plate in many European countries. Hope she is clear about how its works here. I have been using one for 20 years and still learned a few things on this thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In 2022, how do people not understand that you need a transponder on your windshield that can be read by the toll machines in order to qualify for ez pass. The transponders are not expensive.

You can use the flex ez pass in Virginia and you do NOT have to pay the rate if you have 3 people and the ez pass flex is indicated as HOV (it’s better to see in person). Otherwise you are charged be rate same as everyone else in that lane. This is only in Virginia.

I have a flex ez pass. It works in other states that take eZ pass and there is reciprocity in other states that don’t (like in NC). In many instances, the ez pass rate is cheaper than if you pay cash at the toll or if you get a paper bill.

Go get a transponder today. Also in Maryland there are HUGE problems with paper billing, service charges and predatory late fees. You will get screwed in MD without an ez pass that is correctly mounted. We have another house in MD and all my neighbors have been talking about this problem (and it’s been in the news). People getting huge paper bills, with late fees and interests in the thousands of dollars with less than a month to pay without ever getting a previous bill.

Perhaps OP is European. Tolls are pay by plate in many European countries. Hope she is clear about how its works here. I have been using one for 20 years and still learned a few things on this thread!

OP here. Ha ha. Yes, we are European, and didn't need to commute here until now! We've never used EZ pass before.

Many thanks for the other PP's explanations above. Yes, we are being billed large amounts, and when my husband phones each state to pay, he is told he can't pay now because the system is still processing, but then he keeps receiving bills in the mail. It's confusing, like the right hand doesn't talk to the left hand.

I understand that we need a transponder going forward.

[Anonymous]

The tolls to/from NYC is higher than any place I've driven through with the EZ pass (transponder). It depends on where they put those readers that senses the cars that does not have a transponder. It ranges from a few dollars to over $50 for the tolls. It's crazy.
When you rent a car that doesn't have a transponder, you will be charged the various toll bills as well cause the rental car company has your credit card on file.

They shouldn't call it a "pass." They should call it something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:EZ Pass is much cheaper than paying at each toll gate/bridge etc. Did you sign up online? Is the transponder being mailed to you?

I don’t think the price changes with EZ.

Some places do have a discount with EZ pass, some don't. I think the Chesapeake Bay Bridge for example charges $2.50 with EZPass and $4 if they have to bill by mail since they got rid of the toll booths.

[Anonymous]

We bought Virginia EZ Pass transponders with the Flex / HOV. I believe the deal is that as long as you use it frequently enough, in Virginia there's not a fee (other than the initial cost of buying the transponder.)

Some states charge you a monthly fee for the transponder / use of the system.

So, look at the details and keep in mind that you can pick up the transponder in several locations in person if you need it urgently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We bought Virginia EZ Pass transponders with the Flex / HOV. I believe the deal is that as long as you use it frequently enough, in Virginia there's not a fee (other than the initial cost of buying the transponder.)

Some states charge you a monthly fee for the transponder / use of the system.

So, look at the details and keep in mind that you can pick up the transponder in several locations in person if you need it urgently.

Not op, but then I guess it's might not be worth it to switch from MD to VA if we drive those lanes only a handful of times each year, max once a month

[Anonymous]

I still can’t understand how the toll lanes can determine if you have 3 or more people in your car (there is a switch on the transponder but now does it read?)

[Anonymous]

You're husband tried to be cheap, but he got burned. Spring for the transponder and auto-reload.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:EZ Pass is much cheaper than paying at each toll gate/bridge etc. Did you sign up online? Is the transponder being mailed to you?

I don’t think the price changes with EZ.

Depends on the State and some states you have to have their transponder to get the discount.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We bought Virginia EZ Pass transponders with the Flex / HOV. I believe the deal is that as long as you use it frequently enough, in Virginia there's not a fee (other than the initial cost of buying the transponder.)

Some states charge you a monthly fee for the transponder / use of the system.

So, look at the details and keep in mind that you can pick up the transponder in several locations in person if you need it urgently.

When we got our transponder in VA in, I believe, 2019, we paid about $35 for it -- BUT transponders all came pre-loaded with a $35 credit already on them. All the transponders were sold that way.

So the transponder effectively was free. The device cost us nothing. Also, we do not pay a monthly fee of any kind. Only the tolls as we rack them up.

We travel frequently from VA to NY and EZ Pass is a godsend in terms of keeping traffic moving and reducing hassles. I don't even care about the toll amounts, I just think it's a fantastic system compared to toll plazas and cash, or plate readers that send bills in the mail. Maybe get a VA EZ Pass if you're traveling northeast from here.

[Anonymous]

Watch out, I got a notice from MD EZ Pass last year saying I was clocked going too fast through a toll. Not sure if it was the Tunnel, the old toll north of the bridge or in the express lanes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:EZ Pass is much cheaper than paying at each toll gate/bridge etc. Did you sign up online? Is the transponder being mailed to you?

I don’t think the price changes with EZ.

Yes it does. It's cheaper if you have a transponder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I still can’t understand how the toll lanes can determine if you have 3 or more people in your car (there is a switch on the transponder but now does it read?)

There are cameras when you go through the readers. There were issues with people being fined because they had rear facing car seats, and the cameras couldn't detect passengers.