EZ Pass now accepted by Sunpass

[amcnj]

One caution for rental cars and using your own transponder: I have an ez pass account and while it usually registers fine, I have occasionally had it not be read properly and the license plate fallback is used to charge my account instead. The unit is mounted and not ever removed or moved, but apparently sometimes just isn’t read.

 

[EACarlson]

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.

Depends on which system you are on. It looks like you are right about the Bridges and Tunnels. On the Thruway you pay 30% less than the cash rate with a NY EZ Pass and 15% less than than cash with a non-NY EZ Pass. That difference just went way up in January, it used to be a few cents difference between the two. I work with trucking companies and have a couple clients that are changing to a NY EZ Pass from PA and NJ just because of this change.

 

[shafke]

Depends on which system you are on. It looks like you are right about the Bridges and Tunnels. On the Thruway you pay 30% less than the cash rate with a NY EZ Pass and 15% less than than cash with a non-NY EZ Pass. That difference just went way up in January, it used to be a few cents difference between the two. I work with trucking companies and have a couple clients that are changing to a NY EZ Pass from PA and NJ just because of this change.

Unless there is a monthly fee involved they should just get a separate transponder for each state. That way they can get NJ and NY discounts. Keep the PA EZ Pass in case PA does the same thing. The only thing is they would need to keep remembering to change out the transponder and put it in the electrostatic bag they come with. 15% on the NY Thruway + whatever they would save on the NJ turnpike should pay for itself. The trick would be to make sure the drivers remember to switch the transponders. Easier said than done in many cases.

 

[EACarlson]

Unless there is a monthly fee involved they should just get a separate transponder for each state. That way they can get NJ and NY discounts. Keep the PA EZ Pass in case PA does the same thing. The only thing is they would need to keep remembering to change out the transponder and put it in the electrostatic bag they come with. 15% on the NY Thruway + whatever they would save on the NJ turnpike should pay for itself. The trick would be to make sure the drivers remember to switch the transponders. Easier said than done in many cases.

That makes no sense and completely disregards the entire point of EZ-Pass. Not to mention the fact that NJ does charge for a NJ account. My clients have 400 trucks, you think you're going to get 400 drivers to swap out transponders while driving an 80,000lb semi at 70mph in either NY or NJ? Then you have to reconcile multiple toll accounts and in NY figure out how much credit you can get on your trucking taxes each month for paying tolls on the Thruway. Not worth the hassle.

 

[bdcp]

We take the Auto Train so we have our own car and we have EZ pass so this will make it so much easier not having to pull over and pay tolls. In the past, we would take a bag of coins and small bills.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

We take the Auto Train so we have our own car and we have EZ pass so this will make it so much easier not having to pull over and pay tolls. In the past, we would take a bag of coins and small bills.

I remember those days. The anxiety I would get trying to get the toll reader to accept the money I put in so I could get out of other's way was crippling. I am soooo happy with transponders now.

 

[Shannon G]

Quick question, and I apologize if this has already been covered. I live in CT and have a Massachusetts EZPass. I also have a Florida Sunpass transponder that I got a number of years ago just to use when we travel to FL (it is the "portable" one that has suction cups to move it to another car easily). Does it matter which I use now? Is there any advantage to one or another? At this point I'm leaning toward continuing to use the Sunpass since it is very easy to move between cars, and I'm already familiar with adding rental cars to the account online. Also, can someone remind me if the Sunpass works everywhere in Florida? I seem to recall that at one point there were some tolls that did not use Sunpass?

 

[erionm]

I live in CT and have a Massachusetts EZPass. I also have a Florida Sunpass transponder that I got a number of years ago just to use when we travel to FL (it is the "portable" one that has suction cups to move it to another car easily). Does it matter which I use now? Is there any advantage to one or another?

Doesn't matter which you use. SunPass and E-ZPass both get the lower electronic toll rate on FL Toll roads.

Also, can someone remind me if the Sunpass works everywhere in Florida? I seem to recall that at one point there were some tolls that did not use Sunpass?

SunPass works on all toll roads in FL and always have. The State of FL has mandated that all FL based electronic toll systems must be interoperable.

Existing SunPass transponders also work in GA & NC.

 

[Shannon G]

SunPass works on all toll roads in FL and always have. The State of FL has mandated that all FL based electronic toll systems must be interoperable.

Existing SunPass transponders also work in GA & NC.

Thanks for the confirmation! I may have been thinking of the fact that certain areas became electronic tolls ONLY before others - this is why I don't trust my own memory, lol.

 

[joelkfla]

Thanks for the confirmation! I may have been thinking of the fact that certain areas became electronic tolls ONLY before others - this is why I don't trust my own memory, lol.

But remember that you still cannot use your old SunPass on E-ZPass roads outside of FL. Only newly purchased SunPass transponders are E-ZPass compatible.

 

[Shannon G]

But remember that you still cannot use your old SunPass on E-ZPass roads outside of FL. Only newly purchased SunPass transponders are E-ZPass compatible.

That's not an issue - we're flying down, so I'd be bringing my Sunpass transponder just for use on our trip. For any travels in my personal vehicle I have my EZPass already in there.

 

[seashoreCM]

Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts also give discounts for their own E-Zpasses but not for out of staters including each others' (the transponder, not necessarily the driver or car).

There are some "old" E-Zpasses still around which AFAIK do not work in Florida or other non-E-Zpass states that accept E-Zpass. . Those old transponders have non-replaceable batteries that will sooner or later run down (and then they won't work anywhere)..

 

[nekonekoneko]

I have an EZPass, and I'm going to rent a car on my next trip to Orlando from the airport.

As long as I mount the transponder to the windshield, I can drive all over Central Florida without any issues?

 

[joelkfla]

I have an EZPass, and I'm going to rent a car on my next trip to Orlando from the airport.

As long as I mount the transponder to the windshield, I can drive all over Central Florida without any issues?

Yes. If the windshield has a tint strip or a black dot pattern, the transponder should be mounted a couple of inches below it.

 

[nekonekoneko]

Yes. If the windshield has a tint strip or a black dot pattern, the transponder should be mounted a couple of inches below it.

Ok, thank you!

I wonder if the rental car will already have mounting strips, or should I grab some, just in case?

 

[MillauFr]

The days of the toll booths are numbered. The faster they remove them the better. They still haven't solved the problem of Canadian plates though. Prior to Covid we would see all of the Canadian vehicles driving in the express toll lanes because they know they won't be charged. Of course we always return the favor when driving through Vancouver, BC on the way to Whistler.

 

[Spartan86]

Ok, thank you!

I wonder if the rental car will already have mounting strips, or should I grab some, just in case?

We have always brought our own. I doubt you will find them in the car.

 

[EACarlson]

I have an EZPass, and I'm going to rent a car on my next trip to Orlando from the airport.

As long as I mount the transponder to the windshield, I can drive all over Central Florida without any issues?

I would take the couple minutes to add the rental to your EZPass account. I have been told that the tolling agencies check that list before they go to the rental car lists. That would help if the transponder doesn't read for some reason.

 

[nekonekoneko]

I would take the couple minutes to add the rental to your EZPass account. I have been told that the tolling agencies check that list before they go to the rental car lists. That would help if the transponder doesn't read for some reason.

Good tip, thank you for letting me know!

 

[joelkfla]

Ok, thank you!

I wonder if the rental car will already have mounting strips, or should I grab some, just in case?

You might want to get a holder with suction cups. They go for around $10 on Amazon, or maybe your local toll agency or a local Walgreens or auto parts store has them available.