E-Z Pass is the transponder "tag" people put in their cars for automated toll collection. It is used in many parts of the country. On the west coast they have the same thing but its called "FastTrak" and probably goes by other names in other parts of the country.
Anyway, I've been using E-Z Pass for a couple years now, but it wasn't until recently that I learned how disjointed this "system" is. Basically there are tons of E-Z Pass "Issuers". A good analogy is that "E-Z Pass" is like "Visa" or "Mastercard" and depending on who you get your credit card FROM, there are different terms, fees, online billing features, etc. When you use your credit card though, it doesn't matter WHO you got it from. Well, same is true for E-Z Pass. Most people, including myself, never even THOUGHT to "shop around". Anyway, the EZ-Pass I have, doesn't have online statements, and they started charging $1 monthly service fee (for no particular reason other than having the convenience of E-Z Pass. This is like a credit card with an annual fee). A friend just signed up for an E-Z pass and I noticed his had a different "logo" printed on it. We started talking, and I find out he has totally different terms than I do, and no monthly fee, online and emailed statements, but a $3/per tag annual fee. This really got me thinking, I should look for a better deal than the stinky terms and features I'm getting.
you get the best deal (see thread for FastTrak link). Absolutely NO monthly OR annual fees AND they have online/emailed statements. It does not matter if you do not live in this state (as I said, its like a credit card). I am in the process of making the switch (you have to send back your old tags to the place you got them from, and wait for any refunds that might be owed to you).
Anyway, just thought my experience with this could benefit some of you.
I did the same thing after New Jersey started charging the $1.00/month fee. I jumped to the Maryland EZPass which also has no fees, http://www.mdta.state.md.us/mdta/servlet/dispatchServlet?url=/EToll/ezpass.jsp
Just another resource for you. Thanks for the post.
In California, it is called FastTrak. I thought I already found the best deal from the Orange County "Toll Roads" www.thetollroads.com. It's $1 per month which is waived if you spend $25+ within the Toll Road system (Orange County). Tolls outside the system (like on the 91 express lanes, I15, or in the Bay Area) don't count toward the $25+.
However, since you bought up the topic, I just checked the San Diego I-15 version linky and it appears to have NO monthly fee. The only 2 issues I need to check on are: 1. The Bay Area FastTrak info states that if the majority of toll usage is on a different system, they reserve the right to charge a monthly maintenence fee. I don't know if this applies for San Diego (I can't find it, but it doesn't mean it doesn't exist). 2. TheTollRoads (internal Orange County system) gives a toll discount for FastTrak. I don't know if this still applies if your FastTrak is from a different system.
I'll check on both of these and if they are favorable I will be ordering a San Diego I15 version and returning the OC version.
Good topic OP! BTW, maybe change the title so that West Coast people know there is info for them too. Maybe "E-Z Pass & FastTrak tolls, get rid of the monthly fees"
In the SF Bay Area, there are 2 issuers: Golden Gate Bridge and Caltrans (for all other bridges in the area). Neither charges a monthly fee. If you use FastTrak on the GGB, you get a $1 discount, but that should expire soon if it hasn't already.
Anyone NOT on east or west coast? Just curious if its really just these two systems or are there others? Personally I think it makes a LOT more sense to just get the road money from gas taxes and tear down the lousy toll booths, but if you have to play their game, you might as well pay as little as possible.
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