EZ Pass now accepted by Sunpass

[MalkaR]

Doesn’t sound too bad. Switch once in Georgia.

Yep! I'm relieved!

 

[MalkaR]

NY offers significant toll discounts if you pay using a NY issued EZPass.

I don't currently live in NY, but I have a NY issued E-ZPass. Where would I get significant discounts? Only in New York?

 

[Lewisc]

I don't currently live in NY, but I have a NY issued E-ZPass. Where would I get significant discounts? Only in New York?

Yes AFAIK NY area is the only location which offers significant discounts limited to locally issued ezpasses

 

[EACarlson]

I don't currently live in NY, but I have a NY issued E-ZPass. Where would I get significant discounts? Only in New York?

Over other EZ pass rates yes, over cash tolling rates, I think just about everywhere. IL is half price,

Doesn’t sound too bad. Switch once in Georgia.

Why even switch in GA? Just don't drive in the Express Lanes.

 

[carlbarry]

Wouldn't the rental car license plate have to be added to the EZ Pass account, so that you won't be double charged by the rental's built in Sun Pass and the EZ Pass?

 

[joelkfla]

Why even switch in GA? Just don't drive in the Express Lanes.

Traffic.

Wouldn't the rental car license plate have to be added to the EZ Pass account, so that you won't be double charged by the rental's built in Sun Pass and the EZ Pass?

I believe the algorithm assigns priority to methods of payment, with the license plate only being charged when there is no recognized transponder ... if everything is working properly.

But if you're addressing the PPs in this thread, the posters are driving their own cars.

 

[carlbarry]

Traffic.

I believe the algorithm assigns priority to methods of payment, with the license plate only being charged when there is no recognized transponder ... if everything is working properly.

But if you're addressing the PPs in this thread, the posters are driving their own cars.

I would think people driving their own cars, and people driving rental cars would have different issues.
Does the automated toll recorder record the license plate of the car as the transponder is pinged? If there are two transponders, i.e, the rental car's and the driver's, how would it know which to charge? If it charges the rental car's transponder, the renter will be hit with a big charge from the rental car company.

 

[leoromano]

Guess the toll booth clerks finally got sick and tired of answering the same "does EZ Pass work here" question.

 

[joelkfla]

I would think people driving their own cars, and people driving rental cars would have different issues.
Does the automated toll recorder record the license plate of the car as the transponder is pinged? If there are two transponders, i.e, the rental car's and the driver's, how would it know which to charge? If it charges the rental car's transponder, the renter will be hit with a big charge from the rental car company.

I would think it records the license plate together with the transponder id, so that it can fall back in case the transponder cannot be matched or there's a problem with the account. I don't know how the data flows, but it can take a couple of days for tolls from a different agency to show up on online (even between SunPass & E-PASS), so apparently there's some batch processing going on.

The toll agencies say to never have more than one unshielded transponder in the car, because there is a chance that both will be charged for the same toll. The only sure-fire shield is an rf-proof bag or box. The agencies say that just placing a transponder on the seat or in the glove box doesn't guarantee that it won't be read.

There have been reports of drivers being charged both directly from the toll agency and also by a rental car company for the same toll. The rental car company generally refunds the charges upon proof that the toll was paid otherwise. YMMV

There have also been reports of drivers being billed when they were nowhere near the toll point. It turned out that the auto id software couldn't read the license plate, so it went to a worker who viewed the photo and entered the tag number manually, but totally botched it. The charge was reversed when the driver showed that their car looked nothing like the photo.

 

[carlbarry]

I would think it records the license plate together with the transponder id, so that it can fall back in case the transponder cannot be matched or there's a problem with the account. I don't know how the data flows, but it can take a couple of days for tolls from a different agency to show up on online (even between SunPass & E-PASS), so apparently there's some batch processing going on.

The toll agencies say to never have more than one unshielded transponder in the car, because there is a chance that both will be charged for the same toll. The only sure-fire shield is an rf-proof bag or box. The agencies say that just placing a transponder on the seat or in the glove box doesn't guarantee that it won't be read.

It makes sense that the toll area records the license plate, to be able to charge cars that have no transponder; otherwise, you'd get a free ride by just not having a transponder. If it then correlates the license plate with a transponder, and there are 2 different transponders associated with the same plate, what happens next? I am going to try to contact EZ Pass in my state (New York) to ask how to work it with a rental car that has a transponder. If the answer is, "You can't use your EZ Pass in that situation" I will be very disappointed.

 

[EACarlson]

Wouldn't the rental car license plate have to be added to the EZ Pass account, so that you won't be double charged by the rental's built in Sun Pass and the EZ Pass?

Yes the rental should be added to the ez pass account, but it's actually not vital that it is as long as the transponder works. I can add a vehicle to my IPass account in about two minutes.

I would think people driving their own cars, and people driving rental cars would have different issues.
Does the automated toll recorder record the license plate of the car as the transponder is pinged? If there are two transponders, i.e, the rental car's and the driver's, how would it know which to charge? If it charges the rental car's transponder, the renter will be hit with a big charge from the rental car company.

This is how it works in IL, I would think that FL is similar. There is a picture taken if a vehicle goes through the toll point and no transponder is detected. That picture is then scanned for the license plate, that plate number is checked against the list of registered vehicles. If it's not in the data then a bill is generated to be sent to the owner, this is how the rental companies that use plate pass get charged.

If there is a toll transponder in the the rental it must be turned off, otherwise you'll end up paying the toll on both the personal and rental transponder.

 

[erionm]

If it then correlates the license plate with a transponder, and there are 2 different transponders associated with the same plate, what happens next? I am going to try to contact EZ Pass in my state (New York) to ask how to work it with a rental car that has a transponder. If the answer is, "You can't use your EZ Pass in that situation" I will be very disappointed.

If an interoperable transponder was read, the license plate data is ignored. For rental cars with physical transponders, they typically have a shield that will cover the transponder when the renter is using their own.

 

[carlbarry]

Mu concern with a rental car is, if you don't pay their crazy fee for the transponder (I never have) and you go through a toll (I never have), they charge you a really insane amount. Therefore, if I'm using an EZ Pass, I don't want to get a bill for $75 from the rental car company.

 

[Capt_BJ]

if you don't pay their crazy fee for the transponder (I never have) and you go through a toll (I never have), they charge you a really insane amount.

Most rental companies have moved to MUCH more reasonable charges for their toll services. Most now charge a small daily service fee ONLY on days you actually encounter a charge. But BEWARE there ARE still some that charge A BUNCH. See https://www.sunpass.com/en/tolls/rentalVehicles.shtml



If an interoperable transponder was read, the license plate data is ignored. For rental cars with physical transponders, they typically have a shield that will cover the transponder when the renter is using their own.

IME in Florida MOST rentals do not have physical transponders. Rather, the rental cars are 'fleet registered' by their tag. As mentioned if a physical trnasponder is found case closed. If not the tag is 'computer read'. Then two checks happen: 1) if the tag is assigned to a valid [SUNPASS or other] account, the account is charged (why it is important to attach the rental tag to your account) 2) if not found there, the 'fleet accounts' are checked. AFTER these checks fail the tag information is used for individual billing. (curious side effect at least for SUNPASS - if your tag is properly registered it doesn't matter if the transponder is in the car!!!! Been here and done it for quite a while .......)

 

[minie_meese]

Yes the rental should be added to the ez pass account, but it's actually not vital that it is as long as the transponder works. I can add a vehicle to my IPass account in about two minutes.

I would check your state's EZ pass site and your rental car company site

different states have different rules as do car rental companies
e.g.,
PA and MD say to add the rental car to your account
NY says don't - from the NY State EZ Pass Site

Rental Cars

Should I add my rental car information to my E-ZPass account?

Answer: Do not add rental car information to your E-ZPass account. However, you can use your E-ZPass Tag in any vehicle of the same class. Please ensure that your E-ZPass Tag is properly mounted as per installation instructions in all vehicles in which the Tag is used. A Tag that is not mounted properly may prevent the Tag from being read in the lane. If your Tag does not read, you will be subject to the terms of your car rental agreement that apply to E-ZPass usage, toll transactions and/or violation transactions.
-----------------
Also check your rental car company's rules Not sure how other rental car companies work with tolls. We normally rent from National
from the National Car Rental site

Why should I useTollPass™?
There is no need to stop and pay with cash and no device is needed. Some roads or toll stations in the coverage area are "electronic payment only" and this may be the only way to pay your toll.
How do I useTollPass™?
Simply drive on the toll roads in the coverage area. A picture of the license plate will be captured at the toll plaza and payment for your toll will be made electronically. Your use of these lanes will automatically enroll you in our TollPass Service.
How do I pay for this service?
The debit or credit card on file with your rental will be charged for the following items:

• TollPass Convenience Charge
  $3.95 per usage day, not to exceed $19.75 per rental period. There is no TollPass Convenience Charge on rental days that you don't use a toll road.
• Toll Charges
  Actual toll charges* incurred during your rental period.
  The TollPass Convenience Charge and actual toll charges* will be billed to your debit or credit card on file with your Rental Agreement once the toll data is received from the toll authority, within approximately 4-6 weeks. Renters who don't have a debit or credit card on file will receive a paper invoice for all toll-related charges at the address listed on their Rental Agreement.

How can I avoid TollPass™ charges?

• Stop and pay cash for tolls (where available)
• Avoid toll roads
• Use your own transponder - contact your transponder issuer prior to driving on toll roads to confirm its coverage areas and for details on how to use your personal transponder in a rental vehicle

 

[Wandering Oaken]

This is some good news. I have an EZ-Pass with Kentucky Riverlink (I did not know it was an EZ-Pass now) so this will work for our next trip.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

I would check your state's EZ pass site and your rental car company site

different states have different rules as do car rental companies
e.g.,
PA and MD say to add the rental car to your account
NY says don't - from the NY State EZ Pass Site

Rental Cars

Should I add my rental car information to my E-ZPass account?

Answer: Do not add rental car information to your E-ZPass account. However, you can use your E-ZPass Tag in any vehicle of the same class. Please ensure that your E-ZPass Tag is properly mounted as per installation instructions in all vehicles in which the Tag is used. A Tag that is not mounted properly may prevent the Tag from being read in the lane. If your Tag does not read, you will be subject to the terms of your car rental agreement that apply to E-ZPass usage, toll transactions and/or violation transactions.
-----------------
Also check your rental car company's rules Not sure how other rental car companies work with tolls. We normally rent from National
from the National Car Rental site

Why should I useTollPass™?
There is no need to stop and pay with cash and no device is needed. Some roads or toll stations in the coverage area are "electronic payment only" and this may be the only way to pay your toll.
How do I useTollPass™?
Simply drive on the toll roads in the coverage area. A picture of the license plate will be captured at the toll plaza and payment for your toll will be made electronically. Your use of these lanes will automatically enroll you in our TollPass Service.
How do I pay for this service?
The debit or credit card on file with your rental will be charged for the following items:

• TollPass Convenience Charge
  $3.95 per usage day, not to exceed $19.75 per rental period. There is no TollPass Convenience Charge on rental days that you don't use a toll road.
• Toll Charges
  Actual toll charges* incurred during your rental period.
  The TollPass Convenience Charge and actual toll charges* will be billed to your debit or credit card on file with your Rental Agreement once the toll data is received from the toll authority, within approximately 4-6 weeks. Renters who don't have a debit or credit card on file will receive a paper invoice for all toll-related charges at the address listed on their Rental Agreement.

How can I avoid TollPass™ charges?

• Stop and pay cash for tolls (where available)
• Avoid toll roads
• Use your own transponder - contact your transponder issuer prior to driving on toll roads to confirm its coverage areas and for details on how to use your personal transponder in a rental vehicle

I just called my toll transponder service and they said that I should add a rental car license plate onto the account. It takes a couple of minutes to do it so why not?

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Wouldn't the rental car license plate have to be added to the EZ Pass account, so that you won't be double charged by the rental's built in Sun Pass and the EZ Pass?

Some of the rental companies do not have built in transponders in their cars. Alamo/Enterprise/National use toll-by-plate unless you supply your own device.

 

[shafke]

Probably not, there are some interoperability things within within EZPass that are limited based on where your transponder is from. Some states add a surcharge if you have an out of state transponder, New York being the most egregious. IIRC correctly Indiana adds a couple cents on on the Toll Road.

I find the MN soon to be accepting EZPass interesting, the only tolls on MN roads are HOV lanes that you don't have to pay for if you have multiple people in the vehicle. I'm not aware of any EZPass transponders that have shielding cases like the MNPass one does that lets you turn it off if you have multiple people in the vehicle. I bet there are going to be a lot of people that end up with charges they shouldn't when this goes live.

It is not a surcharge but more you pay the cash rate or toll by mail rate for cashless tolls. This was started by NJ when they no longer gave discounts to out of state issued ez pass transponders. NY then followed suit.

 

[erionm]

I find the MN soon to be accepting EZPass interesting, the only tolls on MN roads are HOV lanes that you don't have to pay for if you have multiple people in the vehicle. I'm not aware of any EZPass transponders that have shielding cases like the MNPass one does that lets you turn it off if you have multiple people in the vehicle. I bet there are going to be a lot of people that end up with charges they shouldn't when this goes live.

MD, NC & VA all sell E-ZPass transponders that have a switch that will disable charging when using a HOV lane and you have the appropriate number of people in the vehicle.