TRENTON, New Jersey (WABC) -- A new study finds that drivers with E-ZPass tags issued by non-New York-based agencies are being charged the cash rate at New York bridges and tunnels run by the MTA, instead of receiving the E-ZPass discount. "
The situation is worse at the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, where AAA found the out-of-town E-ZPass/cash rate (or license plate rate at the newly cashless facility) is $17, versus $11.52 for an MTA E-ZPass."
The study by the AAA Northeast, dubbed "E-ZPass' Dirty Little Secret," found
that from 2012 to 2016, more than 92 million out-of-town E-ZPass users were charged the cash rate. The overwhelming majority of those drivers - 70 million - came from neighboring New Jersey.
AAA has notified the MTA and federal transportation officials about their findings and has asked the government to review the practice.
An MTA spokesman confirmed the discounts are available to those whose E-ZPass tags are issued by New York, adding that all drivers can obtain such tags regardless of the state they live in.
According to AAA, drivers with a transponder issued by an out-of-state agency are charged the $8.50 cash rate at the RFK, Throgs Neck and Bronx Whitestone Bridges and the Hugh Carey (Brooklyn Battery) and Queens Midtown tunnels rather than receiving the $5.76 E-ZPass discount.
The situation is worse at the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, where AAA found the out-of-town E-ZPass/cash rate (or license plate rate at the newly cashless facility) is $17, versus $11.52 for an MTA E-ZPass.
Similar disparities exist at the three other smaller New York City bridges.
"Public authorities created E-ZPass with the promise of reducing traffic, cutting pollution and discounted user rates," said Robert Sinclair, Jr., manager of media relations for AAA Northeast. "Part of that promise is broken for millions of drivers."
The agency reports that eight other state toll agencies engaged in similar toll practices. A higher cash rate is charged out-of-towners using the New Jersey Turnpike (at off-peak times), toll roads in New Hampshire and West Virginia, Rhode Island's Newport Pell Bridge, the Maine Turnpike, the Illinois Tollway and all the tolled facilities in Maryland. Massachusetts gives a small discount to E-ZPass out-of-towners.
To its credit, the Port Authority charges all E-ZPass users a discounted rate.
They could have asked I knew this for 5 yrs. That is why I have a MTA ezpass
ReplyDeletewonder how it'll work with cashless tolling and nj plates
ReplyDeleteThis took a 5 year study to reveal? We all knew about it.
ReplyDeleteI knew this for years. That's why I had New York EZ Pass
ReplyDeleteIf I am not mistaken New York EZ Pass will not to give you a discount on the New Jersey Turnpike. We always knew New Jersey EZ Pass does not get a discount in New York. I drive to Brooklyn more often then I use the turnpike so that's why I always had a New York EZ Pass. This is not news every guy in BMG new this when we bought our first cars. I'm not sure what requires a major study. Although it would be nice if we can get discounts all over with the same tag. By the way New York EZ Pass charges a $1 a month maintenance fee as opposed to New Jersey
ReplyDeleteI think it's the opposite. NJ charges the fee, NY does not.
Deletei just looked up my bill and i see that i pay $17 for the verazano bridge i will get a ny ez pass for the ny bridges
ReplyDeletei will get a ny ez pass i just looked up my bill and i see that i used to pay $17 for the verazano
ReplyDeleteMaybe have 2 ezpass accounts. One when u go to ny and one for the turnpike
ReplyDeleteBoth NJ EZ Pass and most NY EZ Passes charge a $1 monthly maintenance fee. The only EZ Pass that doesn't charge a monthly maintenance fee is NYS Thruway Authority. You can get the discounted rate on the Verrazano with an NYS Thruway EZ Pass.
ReplyDelete