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Free transponders aren't really free if you have to pay for them
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$6 per year
I'm still mulling over this new policy. I've had a transponder since they came out, and have had two exchanges, presumably for dead batteries. I don't know how much longer my several-year-old current one will keep working. I don't use it that often, but it's sure a time saver in driving to Maryland. So personally, paying $6/year is probably OK with me. I'd be more annoyed if I had only just paid for one and I hadn't yet paid itself off.
It just doesnt seem like a
It just doesnt seem like a good way to attract new users even if it looks like it will cost the same. "Hey come over here and use this fast lane thing, it will save you 50 cents on the Tobin Bridge but were gonna charge you fifty cents every month!" So if your an irregular user you dont have much of a reason for joining.
I just got one
-- and am not a regular user. I never have much cash on me (let alone small bills) so this seemed to make sense. All told $6 a year is not a lot or a deal-breaker, but I do find this kind of irritating.
Get your EZPass from Maryland
Your account can be maintained online. The transponder is free without deposit (if using a credit card to secure the account). There is zero monthly fee. It operates in any EZPass/FastLane location just as easy as one from MA.
The different state systems are completely interchangeable now, so shop around for your transponder. Any "monthly fee" is just a tax on the naive and stupid.
Other states
The other-state aspect is part of my mulling. I'm guessing that other transportation agencies are in similar financial problems and could change THEIR terms too. When I was first considering FastLane, I had picked up a brochure for EZPass in NY.
Other state fees
My first transponder was from NJ because Maryland hadn't yet finished converting from their own system of barcode scanning to EZPass transponders yet. Then, NJ went to a $1/mo fee system and I dropped them in favor of MD. When NJ started their monthly fee system, I tend to remember reading something from a MD official that stated that Maryland wouldn't be doing that. Of course that was quite a few years ago now, so I don't know how good that pledge is in the current economic times...but for now, there is no fee on my MD transponder.
Yeah, "for now..."
Someone else already found this, but looks like Maryland is considering making transponders cost $1.50 per month come July.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.tolls06jan06,0,3755173.story
Oh well, I was rather liking the idea of using a Maryland service. Other places are boosting fees too.
MD EZ Pass Fees
Time to complain ....
Starting July 1, 2009, EZ Pass MD will be charging $1.50/month/account for their EZ Pass accounts.
Better get that free Maryland transponder while you can
Maryland DOT is proposing BOTH a transponder fee for new accounts and a service charge of $1.50 per month. Details at:
washingtonpost.com...AR2009010502150.html
Damn
Well, thanks for the info anyways. I'll have to keep an eye on this...
Get E-Z Pass for FREE
Save your money and open an E-Z Pass account in another state. Like another person posted, you can maintain your account online, over the phone, or snail mail if you use a credit card. I've had a NY E-Z Pass for 10 years now and do not regret keeping it when I moved to Massachusetts. Never had to pay a single cent in monthly maintenance or for new transponders. As an added bonus, I get discounts when I use NY's tunnels and bridges. Much larger discounts than what the MTA offers for using Fast Lane on the Mass Pike. Like the guy on the radio ad says, it's the biggest no-brainer in the history of Earth!
How can you go about getting
How can you go about getting the new york e-z pass for free?
Why not ...
Why not charge the fee to drivers who aren't using the Fast Lane? Or add it to every single toll lane (like in NY)?
Only reason we switched from EZ-Pass to Fast Lane was because the daily commute changed and the measly A-B and tunnel discounts would actually pay off the tag.