Transportation Systems Casebook/Tolling/E-ZPass

E‑ZPass is an electronic toll collection system used on most tolled roads, bridges, and tunnels in the Midwestern and Eastern United States, as far south as Florida and as far west as Illinois. The E-ZPass Interagency Group (IAG) consists of 39 member agencies in operation within 17 states, which use the same technology and allow travelers to use the same transponder on toll roads throughout the network.

Disclaimer
So many service centers share the same trademark "E-ZPass". This book is to supplement but not replace their policies and guidelines that may vary and be changed at any time.

Choosing a service center
Choosing a service center to open an account requires considering which one is the most cost-efficient regarding the amounts of tolls and fees to pay, especially monthly account fees that may discourage infrequent road users. Living in one state does not require opening an account with the local service center. As many toll agencies limit discounts to accounts opened with their own service centers but not others, open accounts with more than one service center only if expecting frequent trips to avoid excessive burdens.

Opening an account
Opening an account after choosing which service center has some ways with pros and cons:
 * 1) Online application is usually the most convenient way, but getting toll tags by mail requires several days. #Visiting a service center or other approved retailers may get toll tags on the spot on business days, but to travel there may require considerable distances. When receiving toll tags on the spot, watch out for any delayed readiness.
 * 2) Faxing in an application requires manual process and several more days to receive toll tags.
 * 3) Mailing in an application requires several days to reach the receiver and several more days to receive toll tags.

Listing vehicles
List all vehicles to use the account, so if any toll tag fails to work, the vehicular registration number in the account may allow video tolling without billing the vehicular owner at higher cost. Account holder need not own the listed vehicles. Add any rental vehicle only when actually using it. Remove any vehicles when no longer using the account, like when returning a rental vehicle, to avoid incorrect billing.

Getting toll tags
Different service centers have different prices for toll tags: Exterior tags mounted on the front bumpers should be avoided if at all possible. They are very vulnerable to vehicular collisions.
 * 1) Some centers lease tags with monthly fees, so stopping the leasing fees require returning the tags in good condition.
 * 2) Some centers sell tags with one-time fees that may or may not be refundable when returning the tags. Even if non-refundable, carelessly throwing out tags when no longer using them may badly damage the environment.
 * 3) Some centers require a deposit per tag that must be returned in good condition to get a refund.
 * 4) Some centers lend tags for free if eventually returned in good condition.

Payments
Different service centers require various minimum payments. Various ways to pay include these:
 * 1) Credit cards may be the easiest way to pay. Always keep the number and exoiring date up to date, including reporting any lost cards to their issuers. Some credit cards may offer big rewards, but do not prepay too much, or the reward may become lower than the interest earn from a bank deposit account. Avoid approaching the credit limit too closely, or the credit score may be lowered.
 * 2) Automatic payment from checking account requires care to avoid costly overdrafts.
 * 3) Mailing a check to pay requires several days.
 * 4) Paying cash may be limited to visiting a service center in person as mailing cash is not even secure.

Discounts
Different service centers have different plans that are not always available to accounts from other centers. Check carefully before opening multiple accounts that may require changing the tags on the road to maximize the discounts.

Approaching the tolling area
Tolling areas may have toll barriers with booths in toll plazas or cashless gantries. Mount the toll tags properly. Put tags not to be used in read-prevention bags. Always check the signs, signals and markings. Obey the speed limits as speeding may violate the terms and conditions of the accounts or even result in being stopped by the police on the spot.

Lost or stolen toll tags
Report lost or stolen toll tags at once to avoid paying for others' tolls and fees. These tags may be irreversibly deactivated to trigger violations if still used at tolling areas. Returning any found tags may or may not get a refund depending on who issued them.

Fees and discounts by state

 * Notes