Way to Avoid Maryland's Proposed EZ Pass Fee
Despite the tough economic times, I knew Governor Martin O'Malley could never resist the urge to raise some form of tax/fee. With a 2010 re-election date looming, his window of opportunity would likely pass with the close of session in April. Low and behold, O'Malley found his golden parachute. Since an increasing number of motorists have discovered EZ Pass as a way to avoid toll delays, O'Malley now figures everyone will happily fork over an additional $18 a year for this supposed luxury.
Admittedly, I use EZ Pass more so for convenience than necessity. Therefore, I will continue to use the system. That said, I will return my current transponder to the Maryland MVA and order a new one through the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. As opposed to an $18/year fee, these guys only charge $3. Although it's just a small savings, I figure the $15 is better suited for my use than the state of Maryland's.
Crossposted
34 comments:
Bud,
You know that since O'Guvnah and his dark servants in Soddom on the Severn are determined to "nickel and dime" us, I think we should sponsor a "Nickel and Dime Day".
We would get as many people to agree to pay their tolls with NICKELS AND DIMES ONLY. No quarters, no bills, and no EZ-Pass.
This is brilliant, Bud.
Have you, or anyone, been successful in getting one from PA?
We need a site full of these kinds of tips. It's a pity that I have come to hate my states politicians enough that I want to take every legal(and I mean right to the edge and maybe over) opportunity to keep my tax dollars out of their hands.
My wife called this to my attention the other day and we are less than pleased…
Ya know – this is nuts. Maryland should be encouraging the use of EZ Pass as it saves the state a great deal of money in personnel expenses and other assorted overhead with efficiency fueled by technology.
Bud may be on to something here. If a day were to be picked in which “everyone” did NOT use their EZ Pass, the resulting traffic suggestion may wake some officials up.
Others have suggested getting an EZ Pass from New Jersey, which I am told does offer some sort of discount. If anyone is aware of more information, perhaps they could share it with all of us.
Maryland seems to have a real affinity for running business out of the state.
Kevin Dayhoff
www.kevindayhoff.net
Daniel,
My EZ-Pass is issued out of New Jersey, and always has been, because MD didn't offer them when I got mine (even though they supported it).
Daniel -
I too got my EZ pass before MD offered them. Mine is from NJ and aside for the one-time charge to get the unit there are no other fees. You can likely get one online. I'll keep my $18 per year, thank you.
It appears that the author is not willing to pay for services. If you don't like the fee, use cash.
Anon,
He is willing to pay for the services... the cheapest ones that do the same job.
Donald said "I want to take every legal(and I mean right to the edge and maybe over) opportunity to keep my tax dollars out of their hands."
As the boy gov said regarding the school funding mishap, "mistakes happen" and then proceeded to allow the funds to STAY with the schools that should not have had them.
I see a BIG mistake being made on my tax form this year. We all make mistakes. And I think I will keep the extra money my mistake gives me. We all make mistakes.
I called Pennsylvania this morning. They will happily mail one to Maryland. They'll even waive the transponder fee (Normally $25) if you set up an automatic payment plan.
Anon 1:20,
Where do you get that I am not willing to pay? I simply refuse to pay Maryland $15 extra for the exact same service.
oooo, Good duty, Bud.
Thank you very much.
This is not a closed matter. There will be a closed meeting on the 29th to discuss it.
In the mean time I have forwarded the schemes described in this blog to circumvent paying this needed fee to the necessary parties so they are made aware of the loopholes.
Yea, this is awful.
the worst thing since Ehrlich doubled most tolls in maryland and added a bunch of MVA fees on top of that.
Nickles and dimes, indeed.
Dudley Patriot,
Threatening us, are you?
For trying to save ourselves our very own hard earned money?
Elected officials get away with loopholes - call it legal.
Guess what?
So do I.
Some "patriot" you turned out to be.
I am not threatening. I am simply trying to let everyone know that the fee to which you people are up in arms about is not even official. It still needs to be discussed in a closed meeting.
As a Great Patriot and Citizen of Maryland, I feel it is my duty to inform the lawmakers of ways their fee could be avoided so they can take the necessary steps to prevent losing revenue.
Wow.. Reading these posts is interesting. So, you are not a patriot if to want to avoid fees from your loyal legislators and executives in Annapolis?
If that is your attitude and any government decision is OK because they know what is best for you, I suggest that you simply have your paycheck directly deposited into the Maryland Treasury. Then, you can live off of the what the politicians decide to give back to you.
Again, the lawmakers and the governor fail to realize that Maryland does not exist in a vacuum. Delaware, PA, NJ, and possibly VA all stand ready to serve the true needs of the people in this matter.
I am a casual user of the system who does not rack up $18 in tolls in a typical year. You can be absolutely sure that my account will be closed if this goes through. I may even start saving my nickels and dimes for some civil disobedience.
I am sure that there are tangible benefits to the EZ Pass system. There must be in order for states from VA to MN to adopt it. Leave it to Maryland to force fewer benefits to the citizens of Maryland by taxing us into closing our EZ Pass accounts.
Dudley Patriot,
Forward away you idiot.. The system is set up for people from Maine to VA to use. How can you stop somebody from Maryland from buying one in Pa? I guess your way to stop it is to stop interstate commerce.
By having people stop using MD's EZ-Pass they'd also lose the ability to play with the float they get as part of the minimum balance requirement.
So instead of sticking with what they've got, they're going to end up with more traffic at the toll booths (and the likely added personnel costs of toll takers). That'll contribute to added air pollution from cars sitting in line (but getting more gas tax, hmmm).
All that and just generally antagonizing the public more. What a recipe for disaster.
This proposed service fee is nickel & dime you to death. $18.00 for what, makes no sense.
I emailed and left feedback to the Maryland Transport Authority, I would encourage all to post their comments to them. Ron Freeland
Executive Secretary, Maryland Transportation Authority did email me back.
After mulling it over I wonder... why can't they take more money for a deposit, say $25.00 x million customers, could generate their much needed cash. My two cents!
Check out VA and NY ezpass, totally free, better than PA.
New Jersey, New York and PA also charge a $1 monthly fee. Less than the MD $1.50 but is there any state that charges no monthly fees (just a fee to setup)?
Patriot, by calling the ideas here loopholes you demonstrate a complete ignorance of market economics. Strange - I thought this was integral to our country. Websites like this one helps everyone can make informed decisions. 'Patriot' by your own logic, we shouldn't be able to cross state borders to enjoy cheaper gas taxes, etc. This seems to be just another "fee" increase that the great state of MD just can't say no to. BTW at his "closed meeting" the fee was approved of course.
@ Jon (from March 7th),
VA does not charge a monthly fee, but has a higher replenishment cost. It replenishes with $35 each time your balance gets to or below $10. Initial security deposit of $25 is waived if you sign up to pay your replenishment via ACH from a checking/saving account rather than credit card.
We turned our Maryland EZ Pass in - sometime ago and got one from Virginia. So far - seamless and no issues. Word on the street is that there has been a run on replacing the MD Pass... Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net
Just get an EZPass with $0.00 monthly fee at www.pbaezpass.com, Port Bridge Authority in NY.
peace bridge authority has no fees. $10 refundable fee for transponder.
PA has $3 annual fee. Free Transponder.
DE is free $25 non refundable transponder fee.
From Peace Bridge's site:
Important Notice to EZPass Applicants outside of New York State and Canada : Thank you for considering enrolling in EZPass. We encourage you to join the millions of users who have benefited from the program. But, please enroll in the EZPass program where you intend to travel most. Customers who sign up for a Peace Bridge EZPass and don't travel Peace Bridge for an extended period of time may have their accounts deactivated. We want you to enjoy all the benefits of EZPass, so enroll in the program that is close to home and where you travel the most.
Also, PA charges a $3 annual fee per transponder. Still saves over MD.
Just got a letter that PA Turnpike is DOUBLING their E-Z Pass annual fee from $3 to $6. Bastidz!
I know it's only $1.50 monthly for MD EZ Pass, but this fee was annoying me. I canceled it and got one from VA - no fee. Very EZ to do - just go to MD EZ online and send a note of cancelation - you will get an email verification. You do not need to return the transponder, just dispose of it properly they say. And starting VA is equally as EZ - go to VA EZ online, fill in the form to open an account, and they will mail you a transponder. The state of MD is making a big mistake by continuing to raise these taxes and fees and their tax base will erode further as a result putting them in a deeper hole.
All of the states have fees and some have transponder refundable deposits where others have transponder charge (no refund, no returning the transponder). They all seems to make it difficult to see all fees, except NY. DE just does not say free except a one time $25 transponder charge. PA charges $21 up front and $4 for printed statements. NY has a $10 refundable depsit, a $1/mo service fee with free statement mailed every other month. VA has a $24 deposit unless you have automated billing, then there is no deposit or transponder cost, plus they charge $1/mo for detailed online bill or free for a quarterly online bill. DE has a $25 initial fee per transponder, and no other minimum charges, period; and all bills are online and quarterly.
I got my E-ZPass from Delaware. The DelDOT program does not have any monthly or annual account maintenance fees. Normally DelDOT charges $25.00 up front for each transponder, however right now through December 31 they are waiving the transponder fee. Even with the $25.00 fee up front, the Delaware program is still a better deal than Maryland. One thing to remember when opening an E-ZPass account with DelDOT, when you get to the page that asks you to "choose your state" always choose “Delaware” to avoid being redirected back to your home state’s agency. But don’t worry about having chosen Delaware, after getting around the redirect, you will get to real sign up page where you can enter your correct address and license plate information. This also holds true for avoiding the redirect on the websites of other E-ZPass agencies such as New York and Massachusetts.
I got my E-ZPass from Delaware. The DelDOT program does not have any monthly or annual account maintenance fees. Normally DelDOT charges $25.00 up front for each transponder, however right now through December 31 they are waiving the transponder fee. Even with the $25.00 fee up front, the Delaware program is still a better deal than Maryland. One thing to remember when opening an E-ZPass account with DelDOT, when you get to the page that asks you to "choose your state" always choose “Delaware” to avoid being redirected back to your home state’s agency. But don’t worry about having chosen Delaware, after getting around the redirect, you will get to real sign up page where you can enter your correct address and license plate information. This also holds true for avoiding the redirect on the websites of other E-ZPass agencies such as New York and Massachusetts.
The First EZ Pass transponders
EZ PASS
EZ PASS Transponder
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