NYC MTA eliminates E-ZPass discount for foreign accounts
JimmyG...@mailinator.com
toll increase info at http://www.mta.info/mta/09/bandt.html :
"E-Z Pass rates apply to New York E-Z Pass Customer Service Center
accounts only. Non-NYCSC Customers will pay the cash rates."
So they're eliminating the existing E-ZPass discount for people with
accounts from other states. The discount is 17% off the cash rate (or
you could consider the cash rate to have a 20% surcharge above the E-
ZPass rate).
I think this is a terrible idea. Reciprocity was the best thing E-
ZPass had going, and foreign E-ZPasses save just as much toll
collector salary as NYS ones. It's a classic sleazy government move:
extract extra money from the people who can't vote for you, just
because you can.
I was ready to get a Mass Pike E-ZPass to get their discounts, since
it's now free. But maybe I'll keep my Thruway one as well. Have any
of you had 2 accounts registered to the same vehicle? Which account
do they bill if the tag doesn't work and they have to do a license
plate lookup?
Jimmy
danny burstein
>I just noticed this buried at the bottom of the NYC MTA's July 19th
>toll increase info at http://www.mta.info/mta/09/bandt.html :
>"E-Z Pass rates apply to New York E-Z Pass Customer Service Center
>accounts only. Non-NYCSC Customers will pay the cash rates."
*thanks* for that catch.
Hmm, there are actually a bunch of accounts this mighy, or
might not, apply to, depending on exactly which EZ Pass
center[s] they're referring to. I'll have to read the
inserts doubly carefully...
--
_____________________________________________________
Knowledge may be power, but communications is the key
dan...@panix.com
[to foil spammers, my address has been double rot-13 encoded]
Michael Finfer
> In <969393b8-7f04-40c0...@z19g2000vbz.googlegroups.com> JimmyG...@mailinator.com writes:
>
>> I just noticed this buried at the bottom of the NYC MTA's July 19th
>> toll increase info at http://www.mta.info/mta/09/bandt.html :
>
>> "E-Z Pass rates apply to New York E-Z Pass Customer Service Center
>> accounts only. Non-NYCSC Customers will pay the cash rates."
>
> *thanks* for that catch.
>
> Hmm, there are actually a bunch of accounts this mighy, or
> might not, apply to, depending on exactly which EZ Pass
> center[s] they're referring to. I'll have to read the
> inserts doubly carefully...
>
>
My interpretation of this is that the discounts apply to New York
service center accounts, the one on Staten Island that handles MTA and
Port Authority accounts. I would think that Thruway and New Jersey
service center accounts would be considered "foreign."
Anyone here know for sure?
I hope there will be an outcry from NJ and upstate when this starts.
I have a DRJTB account. I will have to switch back to the NY service
center at some point since DRJTB is going to charge a dollar a month for
that account starting sometime soon, eliminating that advantage which
I've enjoyed for a few years.
Michael Finfer
Bridgewater, NJ
hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com
> "E-Z Pass rates apply to New York E-Z Pass Customer Service Center
> accounts only. Non-NYCSC Customers will pay the cash rates."
Other EZPASS agencies are doing likewise, or eliminating the discount
altogether.
Many have also added monthly service charges.
Some toll facilities that once gave frequent motorists a discount,
such as through tokens or tickets, now are making such drivers pay
_more_ than occassional motorists.
> I think this is a terrible idea. Reciprocity was the best thing E-
> ZPass had going, and foreign E-ZPasses save just as much toll
> collector salary as NYS ones. It's a classic sleazy government move:
> extract extra money from the people who can't vote for you, just
> because you can.
It sucks. Get everyone hooked on it and then pull the discounts.
Many of these increases are buried in with other toll changes and a
great many motorists aren't even aware of it.
FWIW, my recommendation is as follows: Motorists whose EZPASS
discounts were lost, or got hit with service charges, should write a
letter (not an email), to the board of directors of their toll
authority and complain about it. Point out that EZPASS saves them
money; that they get the cash up front in advance from the driver's
credit card. For added impact, spend $2 and send the letter Certified
Mail (it means they must sign for it and gives the letter extra
attention).
It's like when ATM machines first came out. Originally banks gave us
discounts to entice you to use them. Then later after we were hooked
they put charges on it.
danny burstein
>I have a DRJTB account. I will have to switch back to the NY service
>center at some point since DRJTB is going to charge a dollar a month for
> that account starting sometime soon, eliminating that advantage which
>I've enjoyed for a few years.
After a large outcry, one of the Brooklyn Assemblywomen (I'm tempted
to say Helene Weinstein, but can't pull up the law to vefify) sponsored
a law to make the EZ-Pass consortium _end_ the monthly fee.
hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com
> I have a DRJTB account. I will have to switch back to the NY service
> center at some point since DRJTB is going to charge a dollar a month for
> that account starting sometime soon, eliminating that advantage which
> I've enjoyed for a few years.
If I understand the DRJTB website correctly (and I might not), their
Board passed the $1/month service charge, however, its implementation
is "on hold". It apparently is not charged at present. But I have
no idea when or if they will apply it. Also unknown is how much, if
any, notice will be given when they start charging.
Bottom line--don't switch yet, but check their website regularly.
Sancho Panza
"danny burstein" <dan...@panix.com> wrote in message
news:gvkk5c$7i7$1...@reader1.panix.com...
> In <4a1dd1c0$0$5393$607e...@cv.net> Michael Finfer <fin...@optonline.net>
> writes:
>
>>I have a DRJTB account. I will have to switch back to the NY service
>>center at some point since DRJTB is going to charge a dollar a month for
>> that account starting sometime soon, eliminating that advantage which
>>I've enjoyed for a few years.
>
> After a large outcry, one of the Brooklyn Assemblywomen (I'm tempted
> to say Helene Weinstein, but can't pull up the law to vefify) sponsored
> a law to make the EZ-Pass consortium _end_ the monthly fee.
===========
ONLINE EDITION FRIDAY March 24, 2006
Floral Park Dispatch Current
Opinion
From the Desk of Senator Frank Padavan
Padavan, Senate Pass Bill to Eliminate $1 E-ZPass Surcharge
The New York State Senate passed legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Frank
Padavan (R,C - Bellerose), that would prohibit agencies that administer
E-ZPass in New York State from charging monthly surcharges. The bill was a
response to complaints from motorists in and around the city that they were
being charged a monthly $1 administrative service fee.
Three different agencies authorize E-ZPass within the state, the New York
State Thruway Authority, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The Port Authority and the MTA
charge the $1 fee, the Thruway does not.
"E-ZPass is supposed to ease the burdens our motorists already feel. People
who travel into and out of the city know how expensive it can get to drive
and an additional, unnecessary fee is the last thing anybody needs," Senator
Padavan said. "Currently, E-ZPass is sitting on a $1 billion surplus, so why
do they need to charge our motorists this foolish fee? It's crazy and now is
the time to end it."
According to the MTA's website, the $1 monthly account service fee was
instituted last summer to "help defray the administrative costs of managing
our customer's E-ZPass accounts." MTA estimates that the monthly surcharge
generates $13.2 million annually. The MTA recently announced that it had a
budget surplus of over $1 billion.
The bill was sent to the Assembly after being passed in the Senate.
Padavan concluded, "I hope the Assembly leadership sees the importance of
this bill and takes immediate action on it. As they say, a dollar saved is a
dollar earned."
Michael Finfer
That's what I've been doing. But if it's true that the NYSC doesn't
charge that fee, I'll switch for the discounts. I haven't had a chance
to check yet.
Quite frankly, I was surprised. DRJTC is a relatively small agency with
very vocal customers. Last time around, after a huge toll increase,
they were forced to cut back on their spending plans and to reduce the
tolls. I'm waiting to see what happens.
Michael Finfer
Bridgewater, NJ
Michael Finfer
> In <4a1dd1c0$0$5393$607e...@cv.net> Michael Finfer <fin...@optonline.net> writes:
>
>> I have a DRJTB account. I will have to switch back to the NY service
>> center at some point since DRJTB is going to charge a dollar a month for
>> that account starting sometime soon, eliminating that advantage which
>> I've enjoyed for a few years.
>
> After a large outcry, one of the Brooklyn Assemblywomen (I'm tempted
> to say Helene Weinstein, but can't pull up the law to vefify) sponsored
> a law to make the EZ-Pass consortium _end_ the monthly fee.
>
>
I looked at this. The Port Authority charges a monthly fee, and the MTA
does not. I suspect that this law applied to the MTA only.
With a NJ billing address, I doubt they'll give me an MTA account.
Michael Finfer
Bridgewater, NJ
hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com
> Quite frankly, I was surprised. DRJTC is a relatively small agency with
> very vocal customers. Last time around, after a huge toll increase,
> they were forced to cut back on their spending plans and to reduce the
> tolls. I'm waiting to see what happens.
That's true. But the last toll increase was a big jump, particularly
for regular users who had it cheap with tokens. On the I-80 bridge
regular users paid 20c (in tokens) while other motorists paid a
$1.00 .
Also, implementing EZPASS didn't go too well with them; they had very
long lines. Apparently losing the exchange change/token lanes
eliminated a fast collection method, although apparently a rather
imperfect one with many missed tolls.
This increase was done without publicity and since a motorist only
sees the 'PAID" light, he's not aware of the increase. I only
discovered it by accident in looking up something else on their
website.
I get mad when any toll authority claims "administrative costs". What
about the costs of handling cash? What about the float from EZPASS
users paying their tolls in advance? What about the labor saving?
What about the big saving in not needing to build more booths?
hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com
> With a NJ billing address, I doubt they'll give me an MTA account.
I don't think that should matter. There are certain discounts
available only to residents of certain areas (like Staten Island or
the Rockaways), but otherwise anyone should be able to get their pass
from them.
Michael Finfer
I looked at the on line account sign-up. They're screening people
according to where they live, and then they're asking what toll facility
you use most often. If you answer New Jersey, MTA facilities do not
appear on the list of answers to the second question.
Michael Finfer
Bridgewater, NJ
mkeen
Thanks to this thread, I just took a look at the DRJTB web site and
found this:
"The DRJTBC will begin to charge a $1 monthly account maintenance fee
in 2009. The fee will bring the DRJTBC E-ZPass program with the
preponderance of other toll agencies in the Pennsylvania and New
Jersey that began applying such a fee years ago. The fee will be
applied on a per-account basis -- not on each toll-collection
transponder. June 1, 2009 has been established as a implementation
date for the $1 monthly fee."
The page is http://www.drjtbc.org/default.aspx?pageid=102
So apparently the answer to "when?" is Monday, which stinks. I moved
from DRBA to DRJTBC precisely to avoid the fee. (I moved from the NJ
consortium to DRBA a few years prior for the same reason.)
I don't use any facility often enough for a commuter plan, so up until
now I had no reason to favor one agency, but the MTA's new discount
restriction and lack of fee makes that agency look like the way to go
for now.
Hanco's comparison to ATM fees is spot-on.
Michael Keen
Ringwood, NJ
NadCixelsyd
Nick C
"Michael Finfer" <fin...@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:4a207886$0$5911$607e...@cv.net...
Then just say you use the MTA the most. That's how many of us were able to
get out-of-state accounts (by saying we used that agency's tolls the most)
mkeen
> Is the New York EZPass different from NJ or are they the same company?
The contractor running the service for the government agency is of
minimal consequence to the account holder. From my experience, they
all seem to have about the same level of service. The New York
Service Center handles accounts for the NYSTA (thruway), MTA
(triborough), and PANYNJ (GWB, LT, HT, Goethals, Bayonne,
Outerbridge). NJ Service Center handles Turnpike/Parkway/DRPA. DRBA
& DRJTBC seem to be a different contractor.
The much more important thing is which agency your agreement is with.
That's what determines the toll rates, discounts, and fees.
I was about to get an MTA account and drop my DRJTBC but it seems that
the New York Service Center application doesn't let you choose your
agency. Here are the terms:
"New York E-ZPass is operated under the auspices of the Triborough
Bridge and Tunnel Authority (“TBTA”), the New York State Thruway
Authority
(“NYSTA”), and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
(“PANYNJ”). Your
E-ZPass account (“Account”) will be operable on all E-ZPass
facilities, regardless
of location. Your Account will be assigned to one of the
abovementioned New York
entities and your Agreement is with that particular entity.
Identification of the New
York entity to which your Account has been assigned and with which you
have
your Agreement appears on your E-ZPass tag(s) (“Tag”)."
It would appear that they assign you based on your address. I saw
nothing on the forms that ask what facilities I use most frequently.
How crazy that you would enter into an agreement with an agency to be
determined later, each of which have different terms. You sign up and
don't know if you'll get the TBTA discounts or the PANYNJ monthly fee!
I'm going to visit the service center in Nanuet and see if I can
specify which agency I want.
Michael Keen
Ringwood, NJ
mkeen
Bridge which connects New York to Canada. Since the agency is based
in Buffalo, perhaps the law banning the fee applies although the
PANYNJ is at least half based in New York and seems to circumvent that
law.
"The Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (the “Authority”)
is an international compact entity created pursuant to a compact
entered into by the State of New York, with the consent of the United
States Congress, and by the Government of Canada. The Authority is
governed by a ten member Board consisting of five members from New
York State and five members from Canada. The mission of the Authority
is to be known as the premier Canada/U.S. international border
crossing, providing excellence in customer service and an effective
conduit for trade and tourism."
Much like the PANYNJ, it seems that state laws might not apply to
them.
Michael Keen
Ringwood, NJ
George
> Another agency that does not charge the monthly fee is the Peace
> Bridge which connects New York to Canada. Since the agency is based
> in Buffalo, perhaps the law banning the fee applies although the
> PANYNJ is at least half based in New York and seems to circumvent that
> law.
>
> is an international compact entity created pursuant to a compact
> entered into by the State of New York, with the consent of the United
> States Congress, and by the Government of Canada. The Authority is
> governed by a ten member Board consisting of five members from New
> York State and five members from Canada. The mission of the Authority
> is to be known as the premier Canada/U.S. international border
> crossing, providing excellence in customer service and an effective
> conduit for trade and tourism."
>
> Much like the PANYNJ, it seems that state laws might not apply to
> them.
>
> Michael Keen
> Ringwood, NJ
PA turnpike charges $3/year/transponder:
". A one-time deposit of $25, plus a $3 non-refundable annual service
fee, is required for each assigned E-ZPass transponder. If a form of
automatic account replenishment is chosen, the deposit is waived. The
deposit will be refunded to you, if you return the E-ZPass transponder
in good working condition. No interest will be paid on account balances
or deposits. Paper account statements are available for a monthly fee."
Jimmy
> It would appear that they assign you based on your address. I saw
> nothing on the forms that ask what facilities I use most frequently.
> How crazy that you would enter into an agreement with an agency to be
> determined later, each of which have different terms. You sign up and
> don't know if you'll get the TBTA discounts or the PANYNJ monthly fee!
While you would get the monthly fee if you get a Port Authority
account, you would still get the TBTA discounts. The TBTA discounts
will continue for any New York Customer Service Center account, which
includes the MTA, Port Authority, and Thruway.
Jimmy
danny burstein
I've got two transponders. The first is via MTA and no longer
charges a monthly fee. The other came through PANYNJ [a] and
is hitting me for that dollar/month.
I just wrote to them asking to please explain...
[a] I've got a Honda Insight which qualifies for the extra
bit of discount (during off peak hours) on the PA bridges.
(regular rate: $8 peak, $6 off peak. Insight gets $8 and $4).
But if they're going to hit me with that monthly fee I
might just get the regular one. Or get obnoxious...