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Signs We'd Like to See: Fast Lane Accepted
By stevegarfield on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 7:20am
I'd like to see earlier notification that Fast Lane is accepted on E-ZPass roads.
Let's start with the New Hampshire Turnpike.
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Comments
Fast Lane = EZ Pass
The Fast Lane is 100% compatible with the NY State EZ Pass. A Fast Lane owner can use their tranponder seamlessly on any road that advertises an EZ Pass toll booth, including New Hampshire. I don't go up to NH very often but I did notice signs on Route 3 informing me that they wanted my toll money by any means possible, so using an EZ Pass was more than acceptable.
I got my EZ Pass a few years ago for free from the NY State Thruway Authority around the same time that the Mass Pike started charging $25 for their Fast Lane. Do they still charge for Fast Lane transponders?
That's silly
The "Fast Lane" tags have an EZ Pass logo on them. The widely accepted name is EZ Pass. Why would every state have to adjust their signing to conform to MA's unique branding of the devices "Fast Lane"? What if every state decided to brand their EZ Passes? Would we need signs in every state, wide as a football field to identify all of the unique brands of EZ Passes accepted there?
The Fast Lane is an EZ Pass. You shouldn't need a sign to tell you this.
seriously?
If you have a fast lane transponder and you don't know it is compatible with EZ Pass, then you should just turn over your keys right now because you are not smart enough to drive.
I will say that it is silly to have a different name when all the other states call it EZ Pass.
I thought everyone knew that Fast Lane is EZPass
I mean, I knew that and I don't even have a car.
Dogpile
Allow me to pile on by saying that Fast Lane is an MA concoction. E-ZPass started in 1991 as a multi-state system in the NY/NJ/PA area because that's where more tolls are collected than anywhere else in the US. Fast Lane became an E-ZPass analog and joined the Interagency Group around 1998. Why would they put out more Fast Lane signs when the umbrella group is E-ZPass? Do you want M-Tag (Maryland) and every other splinter group's signs creating more confusion? There are people who already can't figure out how to stay out of my way when they don't have a transponder. Don't be stupid.
Why not rename Fast Lane to EZ Pass?
Virginia used to have the Smart Tag, which was not compatible with EZ Pass. Eventually, they joined the EZ Pass coalition.
First, I believe they cobranded their signs, changing the color to purple and listing both Smart Tag and EZ Pass. But now, it's just EZ Pass.
Makes sense to me - lots less confusion for folks not familiar with the Virginia system.