Best Ways To Avoid Maryland's EZ Pass Fee
A while back, I chronicled how to avoid Maryland's ridiculous $1.50 EZ Pass fee. With the charge now a reality, I want to remind people that there are options other than sucking it up or canceling your account altogether. Unfortunately, anyone on a reduced fare commuter plan through the Maryland Department of Transportation will likely have to absorb the cost. In the long run, reduced toll fares justify paying the fee. Now, for the majority of us that merely use EZ Pass for convenience, other options exist.
Media outlets have been touting Delaware and Virgina EZ Pass since they don't levy account maintenance fees. Still, these jurisdictions charge some time of deposit to obtain a transponder. Therefore, the deal isn't as good as advertised. Personally, I found two better options. Both of which allow motorists to utilize EZ pass lanes up and down the East Coast.
Bar none, the best deal lies can be found through the Peace Bridge in New York. There's no charge for a transponder. Likewise, there's no maintenance fees. To get this deal, customers only need to maintain automatic replenishment through a credit card.
Closer to home, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has a $3.00 annual fee, but they'll waive the transponder fee for those customers willing to automatically replenish their account through a credit card.
I have an account with Pennsylvania mainly because I wasn't clued into the Peace Bridge option until later. Either way, both provide better alternatives than paying Martin O'Malley $1.50 a month for nothing.
Crossposted
7 comments:
I don't know why you don't understand - Porcari explained it so clearly. Toll customers, the ones waiting in lines, giving off excess "greenhouse gasses", using toll takers who require big salaries with good health bennies and pensions are subsidizing the electronic toll collection where people zip through and make no human contact. EZ Pass costs taxpayers so much money and it's time EZ Pass users pay their fair share.
Typical right wing drivel, saying EZ Pass saves taxpayers money and we should find a way around paying our fair share to the superbly run government of MD.
Had no clue Maryland was taking $1.50 each month for just having the transponder. Was that printed somewhere?
Elizabeth,
Where did I ever say EZ Pass saves taxpayer money? Granted, it does eliminate the need for unionized toll collectors. Pay the $18.00 if you so choose. I choose to pay PA less for the same product.
Molly,
It's all over the news.
Bruce,
Enjoy donating more of your money to Martin and the gang. He already takes enough of mine and won't be making an additional $18 off my back. Cheers!
Sarcasm bud, sarcasm. And I choose to pay Mass nothing for the same product. RI has discounts for the 1st and 2nd transponders and $0 fees.
Well I called a few EZ Pass agencies in a few States. Turns out that you can get an EZ pass in any state and it will work on any toll road that accepts EZ Pass. Anyone who pay any fee for EZ Pass should call Indiana I Zoom (which is in the EZ Pass family). They will send you as many transponders as you want free. And there are NO FEES if you use a credit card and a checking account as a back up.
Phone 1-888-iZoom90(1-888-496-6690)
I just don't understand the logic of putting fees on something that saves the State money and manpower. If enough of EZ Pass uses switch, I think the State will get the message..
EZ Pass commuter
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