EZ-Pass
For a long time, I was resistant to using EZ-pass and have only recently acquired one because I use the Ft. McHenry and Harbor tunnels on a regular basis. My stated reason, semi-facetiously, is that I don't like the government tracking me. People have always laughed at me for that, but it turns out that I was right after all:
Millions of drivers now use electronic toll systems to pay for tolls without digging out cash, and investigators are increasingly using the electronic record they create as a crime fighting tool....
It's not just crime-fighers, though:
New Jersey and New York officials use E-ZPass cards to detect traffic back-ups and patterns. Receivers along 200 miles of highway pick up signals from passing motorists and transmit traffic data in real time. Officials for the transit program say the technology scrambles personal data from the signal, does not link it to specific accounts and does not store it for future use.
That's not so bad, right? I mean, I shouldn't be worried if I haven't done anything wrong, right? ... right?
(via Slashdot)
My reason for hesitating was that once the government starts taking your money automatically, it will raise the rates surreptitiously (sp?) So slowly that you don't notice. Sure it's cheaper now; but the rates will rise slowly but surely. A year or two ago the consortium that runs EZ Pass realized that they weren't making money so they tacked on a service fee. ($10 / year, I think.) It's already started.
Pondered by SoccerDad at December 16, 2003 04:15 PMThe government's checking of E-ZPass records only occurs under a warrant from a court during a criminal investigation. It's not really any different from investigators looking into your credit card/bank statements (under a subpoena) in the event you disappeared mysteriously.
Other than that, there isn't anything *too* exciting about seeing that I went through the Harbor Tunnel northbound using E-ZPass in the left northbound E-ZPass only lane at 5:57 am on Tuesday.
You don't have to pay a monthly service fee if you have an E-ZPass from the MdTA, DelDot, the DRBA, E-ZPass New York or DRJTBC. Just the DRPA and Regional Consortium have them.
E-ZPass is well worth the time savings over paying cash.
Pondered by toll fan at December 27, 2003 08:06 PMOk I have been on EZ Pass for a few years now in the Balt. area... Last year is when the problem started... The first time they said my account was overdrawn at 18$ so I paid it and added more.. 2 weeks later I recieved not 1 but 2 letters from EZ Pass saying that I was in violation on 2 toll passes they added 15$ admin fee to the toll amount.. So I paid it not wanting my Tag in violation... Well about a month later i went In and paid on my account they said I was 15$ overdrawn... I'm thinking Great it wasn't 18$ so I'm ok right!!!! Wrong 2 weeks later the same thing 2 letters from EZ Pass stateing I was In Violation again and had to pay the 15$ x2 plus the toll!!! Ok first it was 18$ then 15$ and Note the 15 plus the 2$ toll due didnt add up to the 18$ I was told I was over the first time!!!! I went to there main office in Balt. and couldn't believe when the teller told me they dont disclose the amount they will let you go over before fines !!!! If I had a company with no stated or implied fines and fined my customers with no rules i would be in Jail right now!!! So how can EZ Pass Not tell us the Info then hold us to the Info !!! I'm sitting here now with a 25$ fine for driving my sons car to NJ to visit my family for Thanksgiving.. they told me I have to call them before transfering the tag to a differant car even if its just for a day !!! Heck I dont have to tell the state I transfered my Car tags for 2 weeks !!! This kind of stuff is why they don't want to disclose the rules to us because they dont have any set rules... Heck they got my info that day but still insted of deducting the $ from my account (which is on a Visa card now)they send me the 25$ Admin fee + 3$ toll ??? Now I went through 4 EZ Pass tolls that day and only 1 letter with the fine's... you may view this as me being lucky I dont have 4 letters but I view this as the right thing was done at 3 tolls and some creep in EZ pass getting paid bonuses for the fines he collects did the wrong thing on the 4 toll!!!
I'm looking for any help i can get to start a class action lawsuit against them!!
Hmmm ... I'm afraid I haven't gotten fined for anything, so I don't think I can help you here.
Pondered by maphet at February 2, 2004 04:26 PMI had a similar problem. My credit card expired and was renewed, but they stopped billing to it and never sent me any notice. The only reason I found out anything was wrong was when I started seeing "Call E-Z Pass" messages. I live in NY but my EZ Pass is registered to NJ, so I have to call 3 different phone numbers before I can actually get in touch with anyone who will tell me anything about my account. I called up and fixed the problem, but a couple of months later I get 7 letters in the mail each demanding $25 for the $0.20 tolls from my regular commute. Once again I have to call 3 numbers before I get some one who tells me they can't do anything over the phone and I have to submit my complaint in writing. The only response I got from that was another form letter demanding payment.
My second rant is that on the NYS Thruway not all of the tolls are automated EZ-pass and some times the attendant doesn't push the button in time and so your tag doesn't get read. I call EZ pass and they tell me it won't post for another 3 months and to wait for a violation notice to come. Instead they never send me a violation notice, but just charge the $12.85 maximum toll for the thruway.
If you're starting a class action suit, sign me up.
Pondered by Peter at April 19, 2004 09:17 AM