Electronic Tolls

[mello]

I've been reading at all the rental car sites that central Florida is either going to or is already using all electronic toll collection - no more cash. Is that correct?

We will be renting a car at MCO in Dec, and want to drive around Orlando area and then will go over to Port Canaveral. Will we need to add the rental service toll collection pkg to our car reservation?

 

[OKW Lover]

You won't have any problem. We just did the exact drive in September that you are contemplating for December. All tolls have a well marked cash lane for you to pay your tolls the old fashioned way. Ask for a receipt if you are worried about being charged inappropriately by the car rental company.

 

[joelkfla]

I've been reading at all the rental car sites that central Florida is either going to or is already using all electronic toll collection - no more cash. Is that correct?

No, they're lying to get you to pay for their electronic toll system.

The Turnpike has gone to no-cash in parts of South Florida, but no date has been announced for any of their Central FL roads to convert. This is from their website:

The next phase will convert all the Turnpike plazas located between the Golden Glades interchange in northern Miami-Dade and the Interstate 595 interchange in Broward County. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2012 and the conversion would take place in the summer of 2013. Eventually, all-electronic tolling will be extended to other segments of the Turnpike.

Note, nothing about CFL until at least 2013.

The Expressway Authority has been making some noises about no cash, but I think they will do a few more studies before pulling the trigger.

There is a toll road in the Tampa area that has gone all-electronic. Unless you're driving into Tampa or S. FL, you'll be able to pay cash.

 

[mello]

Thank you for setting the record straight, I appreciate your help!

 

[gmeh1]

No, they're lying to get you to pay for their electronic toll system.

The Turnpike has gone to no-cash in parts of South Florida, but no date has been announced for any of their Central FL roads to convert. This is from their website:

Note, nothing about CFL until at least 2013.

The Expressway Authority has been making some noises about no cash, but I think they will do a few more studies before pulling the trigger.

There is a toll road in the Tampa area that has gone all-electronic. Unless you're driving into Tampa or S. FL, you'll be able to pay cash.

Not sure they are truly lying, more like being to general , I think it is a "splash screen" sort of announcement for FL in general. IMHO, they should put a disclaimer in for Central FL.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Not sure they are truly lying, more like being to general , I think it is a "splash screen" sort of announcement for FL in general. IMHO, they should put a disclaimer in for Central FL.

Yeah, rental car companies would never stretch the truth to try to drive more revenue from the unknowing.

BobK/Orlando

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

It's interesting that I reserved a car last week on National and got no such "warning" Wonder what the "criteria" to warn is?

 

[gmeh1]

Yeah, rental car companies would never stretch the truth to try to drive more revenue from the unknowing.

BobK/Orlando

Of course not, they are always on the up and up (being sarcastic here).

 

[gmeh1]

It's interesting that I reserved a car last week on National and got no such "warning" Wonder what the "criteria" to warn is?

I went to Dollar's site and this is what it said: Orlando - International Airport
Please note: There are toll roads within this area that have converted or will be converting to all-electronic tolling or cashless tolling. In these areas, there is no option for a rental car to stop and pay the tolls in cash. If your travels will take you on a toll road in an area where there is no option to stop and pay cash for the tolls, Pass24 is the perfect solution. If you choose not to select the Pass24 pre-paid tolling option and do travel on one of these all-electronic toll roads, and do not have your own tolling device in the vehicle, the applicable toll will be paid for you and an administrative fee of $25.00 will be added to each toll utilized.

There is nothing like that on Alamo or National.

 

[joelkfla]

I went to Dollar's site and this is what it said: Orlando - International Airport
Please note: There are toll roads within this area that have converted or will be converting to all-electronic tolling or cashless tolling. In these areas, there is no option for a rental car to stop and pay the tolls in cash. If your travels will take you on a toll road in an area where there is no option to stop and pay cash for the tolls, Pass24 is the perfect solution. If you choose not to select the Pass24 pre-paid tolling option and do travel on one of these all-electronic toll roads, and do not have your own tolling device in the vehicle, the applicable toll will be paid for you and an administrative fee of $25.00 will be added to each toll utilized.

There is nothing like that on Alamo or National.

And if you don't pay up, Big Guido will be around to pay ya' a visit!

Sure sounds like scare tactics and extortion to me.

 

[tiggerrr]

There is nothing like that on Alamo or National.

It is on the rental information when you book a car. But, Alamo/National use a different provider to bill their tolls that is far less expensive. They do not require you to "opt in" to a daily rate. They charge $2/day for any day that you go through an electronic toll (plus the cost of the toll) to a maximum of $6 per rental (plus the cost of all tolls).

Each rental car agency uses a different provider. Dollar and Thrifty are the worst because they require you to opt in at the time of rental and charge $7/day regardless of whether you use a toll or not. If you don't opt in, you pay the $25/toll fee everytime you go through one.

Hertz charges $3/day to a maximum of $15, but only if you use an electronic toll at least once.

Avis/Budget appear to charge $3/day to a maximum of $15, regardless of whether you use the service or not, with no option to opt out. EDIT: This may be incorrect. I've found other comments that the $3/day is only charged if you use an electronic toll at least once, then you're charged for the whole rental.

Alamo/National are definitely the cheapest and most flexible (only charged for days you use it and the cheapest rate).

https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar

Bottom line still is, make sure you have change and/or use the manned booths in the Orlando area. The all-electronic only are still in Tampa and Miami areas.

 

[Elmo007]

I went to Dollar's site and this is what it said: Orlando - International Airport
Please note: There are toll roads within this area that have converted or will be converting to all-electronic tolling or cashless tolling. In these areas, there is no option for a rental car to stop and pay the tolls in cash. If your travels will take you on a toll road in an area where there is no option to stop and pay cash for the tolls, Pass24 is the perfect solution. If you choose not to select the Pass24 pre-paid tolling option and do travel on one of these all-electronic toll roads, and do not have your own tolling device in the vehicle, the applicable toll will be paid for you and an administrative fee of $25.00 will be added to each toll utilized.

There is nothing like that on Alamo or National.

Thats because Alamo/National/Enterprise has a fairer system. Dollar makes you opt in at a daily cost, regardless of toll usage or charges you $25 PER TOLL. A/N/E has no opt in system. If you do an electronic toll they charge you the toll plus $2 per day (not toll). They also cap the toll surcharge at $6 per rental. Note that A/N/E only charge the $2 on a day you incur a toll where the other charge everyday


there is a good link about this: https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar

 

[sympatico]

Thanks for all the info. We've rented many times but usually just pay the tolls in cash. We usually use the Alamo family so maybe this next time we'll try the electronic tolls.

 

[Rekenna]

Forgive me for being so dumb (and if you can't forgive me at least roll your eyes silently...).

How much are the tolls from MCO to the WDW resorts?

Also, when the term cashless is used, does that mean you can or cannot use a credit/debit card instead?

Lastly, if cash/coin is still allowed, do we have to have exact change?

I searched in the Transportation Forum, but I couldn't find the silly questions about tolls thread-my apologies! Thanks!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

How much are the tolls from MCO to the WDW resorts? Depends on the route. $2.25 to $3 or so.

Also, when the term cashless is used, does that mean you can or cannot use a credit/debit card instead? No.

Lastly, if cash/coin is still allowed, do we have to have exact change? Depends.... On the main roads the cash lanes have cashiers with change. If you get off the toll road at an unmanned exit then you will need exact change.

I

 

[Rekenna]

How much are the tolls from MCO to the WDW resorts? Depends on the route. $2.25 to $3 or so.

Also, when the term cashless is used, does that mean you can or cannot use a credit/debit card instead? No.

Lastly, if cash/coin is still allowed, do we have to have exact change? Depends.... On the main roads the cash lanes have cashiers with change. If you get off the toll road at an unmanned exit then you will need exact change.

I

Danka!

 

[gmeh1]

Thats because Alamo/National/Enterprise has a fairer system. Dollar makes you opt in at a daily cost, regardless of toll usage or charges you $25 PER TOLL. A/N/E has no opt in system. If you do an electronic toll they charge you the toll plus $2 per day (not toll). They also cap the toll surcharge at $6 per rental. Note that A/N/E only charge the $2 on a day you incur a toll where the other charge everyday


there is a good link about this: https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar

awesome link, thanks.