Anybody have this yet? Would sure make it easier when doing extensive travelling. Also supposed to be cheaper.
EZPass is the only one I have used. They are just in 17 states now, mostly the East and part of the Midwest. You save a little bit overall, but the main advantage is getting through quicker. You will need it in PA within two years. They plan to do away with cash toll collection. Every size and type of vehicle has a code number that is assigned to the unit you put on your dash. Millions of people use it. It seems like it's mostly the Eastern states that collect tolls, but there must be equivalents out west somewhere.
You can get the EZ Pass from any state, regardless of where you live. So, shop around as some offer free transponder and better deals.
We went on a trip in the SUV a couple years ago and I forgot to switch the transponder. Stopped at a service plaza in Ohio and picked one up. It was cheaper than in Pa.grrr. turns out, you couldn't add it to my Pa. acount. I would have had to create a separate one. We just took non toll roads the rest of trip. Saved almost the price of a tank of fuel, especially in Pa. Btw, Pa. charges an additional 30% if you don't use EZpass.
Another thing, the transponders are sealed, and after several years, they stop working. Happened to us. After Googling the issue, found you can return them for a replacement. The flat square ones are going dead.
No thinking required, just get one.
No more arguing about whether you are a bus or an RV with the toll taker. No wondering in a strange jurisdiction if you got overcharged... it's all taken care of.
No stopping, roll right thru.
Canadians can get them too.
Convenience is my desire, saved surcharges just makes it sweeter.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
I have an IPass that is also E-ZPASS compatible. I had a heck of a time getting the pass to read in my bus.
I apologize for omitting the site that I brought up the topic for. Here it is:
https://rvtollpass.com/
Quote from: chessie4905 on December 01, 2019, 07:43:16 PM
I apologize for omitting the site that I brought up the topic for. Here it is:
https://rvtollpass.com/
so is there a charge for each month you use it ?
Activation is the process of establishing an account and linking it to your RV Toll Pass transponder, vehicle and pre-payment method. Once activated, you will only be charged for replenishing your account when the balance drops below a minimum and you will only be charged the $14.99 service fee in months that you incur toll charges.
how do you save any money if you have to pay a service charge ?
dave
Lets see if I can screw this up, there is an EZpass and a Epass. Then the Florida Sunpass. Now there two Epass's the one you use in the car will not work in the motorhome. Well I guess it would but they wouldn't like it. I think the one for the motorhome cost me $35.00 and it will work in the car also. Will work for the Sunpass and most all states up north. There is no monthly charge, and it dose save money and time. When towing I take my pass out of the tow car and let the Epass pay the toll for both. We used the Epass from Fl to NH this year, about $50.00 in tolls so far.
Jack
Beware of re-sellers?
As an example, the New York EZ pass site
https://www.thruway.ny.gov/ezpass/signup.html
Covers the listed 16 states in east/midwest, NY wants $25 up front for the transponder, different easy ways to get started, pay your tolls.
There's no mention anywhere of fees other than your toll charges, and those are discounted vs paying cash.
Do the western toll systems interoperate?
That rvtollpass site is charging the user to combine east and west for a fee, that one can do for themselves?
How often does one travel all the way back and forth between polling regions vs drive close to home, and still get nailed the monthly charge?
Is there a market that is easier to take advantage of than RV'rs?
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
May be useful for snowbirds, but few will want to pay the service charge, but for national use, it may be beneficial compared to purchasing several pucks for different systems.
The feds passed a law to make the whole system compatible, but it is behind deadlines. Some states are balking about the cost to change their systems.
Interesting way for feds to track vehicles travels around the country. Maybe one that makes many trips from S. Texas to N.E? Drug trafficking movements...hmmm.
Just say no to toll roads. Most states horribly abuse the system. Set your Garmin to non-toll roads only. Enjoy the countryside. Who says you have to get there today?
Jim
Just hang out in AZ we have mountians,snow,trees ,deserts,heat anything you want except toll roads
Been seriously considering AZ after we downsize. (whenever the heck that may be...)
So I made some calls today and a nice lady in Ohio ez pass gave me the Florida phone # for ez pass but told me to ask for ez pass xtra this way I get all of Florida toll roads and most of the eastern sea board ez pass as well . Hopefully I can drive from home to the Canada / US border then the ez pass xtra will work all the way down to and include all of Florida . The cost was not that bad and she set up my account after taking my money on my master card . So long as I get the transponder delivered b 4 christmass ? Time will tell if this is a good deal ? as with the transponder I was told 28 % less in Florida and 33% less in most of the other states
p . s . if you guys ever come to Ontario Canada ...DO NOT EVER USE THE 407 TOLL ROAD AS IT IS WAY TO MUCH MONEY for the short distance it goes
dave
After watching that tow and rescue show on the Weather channel, I don't think I'd want to use the 401 either. They say it is the busiest road in North America.
Here's Florida:
https://www.cfxway.com/e-pass/about-e-pass/
E Pass Xtra appears to be the total east coast package, 18 states.
$18.50 plus tax for your transponder, and then just pay tolls.
EZ Pass is not good everywhere in Florida.
E Pass Xtra is good everywhere EZ Pass is, as well as all of Florida.
A most excellent exercise this has been, I would have mistakenly ordered an EZ instead of a Florida E Xtra.
Anyone out west care to add some western details?
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Quote from: chessie4905 on December 02, 2019, 11:48:37 AM
After watching that tow and rescue show on the Weather channel, I don't think I'd want to use the 401 either. They say it is the busiest road in North America.
Dramtized... same as all the others of these "reality" shows.
Just a busy multilane highway, with the occasional pile up, like anywhere else.
Well, except we have salters and plows in greater numbers, and not as likely to have trucks sailing thru the snow at 80 mph as some places further south...
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Quote from: buswarrior on December 02, 2019, 12:04:50 PM
Here's Florida:
https://www.cfxway.com/e-pass/about-e-pass/
E Pass Xtra appears to be the total east coast package, 18 states.
$18.50 plus tax for your transponder, and then just pay tolls.
EZ Pass is not good everywhere in Florida.
E Pass Xtra is good everywhere EZ Pass is, as well as all of Florida.
A most excellent exercise this has been, I would have mistakenly ordered an EZ instead of a Florida E Xtra.
Anyone out west care to add some western details?
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Not many toll roads out here in the west CA has some
QuoteAnyone out west care to add some western details?
Toll roads on the west coast are rare. The LA freeway system started toll lanes during heavy traffic times. The SF Bay Area started toll lanes about 4 years ago. Plenty of tolls on bridges.
Other than that, I'm coming up blank on east coast style toll roads anywhere in CA, OR, WA. There probably are similar west coast toll sections but nothing like elsewhere.
Link to CA tolls https://thetollroads.com/accounts/fastrak/california
Update- There are some toll roads in Orange County. I took the 73 toll road a couple years ago and it cut off a huge part of the 405 and I5 gridlock.
They have a toll road in Vegas expect for Ca there is not that many highways in the west,we don't have that many major highways in AZ besides the interstate once you leave Phoenix
They tried to toll I-80 here a few years back, but didn't have quite enough votes to pass. Came close though. Pa. turnpike is toll though. Very administration heavy with significant tolls. They keep raising the toll to keep up with inflation. Little over 50 dollars from one end to the other. Over 100 for semis. Bus conversions, somewhere in between. # of axles including toads count.
For those of us that live in Florida you almost have to use some toll roads. If you look at the time and extra miles the toll is less expensive. Don't get the EZpass and the Epass mixed up they are two different co. If you do get the Epass extra download the app to keep up with your charges.
Jack
I don't drive toll roads and know nothing about other states but most toll roads are not owed by the State ,like in Texas as OK they are owed by a Authority which is Spain,It is all most impossible to leave Tulsa Ok without paying a toll and the Turner Turnpike for a 100 miles to OKC OK is very expensive for a bus and towed
Pa's is state owned. Pa. turnpike authority. I think Ohio owns tgeirs. Indiana is privately owned.
California has many bridges that are tolled by the government. There are other toll roads and lanes that are privately owned. For example Hwy 91 in Socal has parallel toll lanes so you can pay to go faster. They are nicknamed "Lexus lanes", since you need to able to afford to use them. They vary the fee based on how much traffic is in the free lanes. The state gave contracts for private companies to build these lanes and agreed to limit expansion of free lanes to protect the toll lane companies investment; I see it as another scam.
I have read that there are toll roads that only cover there operating cost and worker/retiree benefits with all that they collect. They also cause more traffic, more fuel waste, and more accidents. The concept is completely antiquated. but I do not see anything changing soon.
I got my E Pass Xtra transponder for the coach and a sticker for the front window for the ranger as well . question ... is the sticker the same as a transponder ? as it tells me how to install it in the truck front window or do I remove the transponder from the coach when we travel in the truck only ?
thanks dave
We move the epass extra from the coach to the car. If you have one in the car when it back of the coach you will pay twice. If you have the tow plate listed and forget to change the epass they will just charge by the plate.
Jack
Sacramento and north of it there are no tolls. SF and most large bridges south of it are tolled.
As a lot of you know we Californians pay a lot of road taxes and the road are crumbling away here so where do these tolls go because the taxes are hidden in our politicians(that I don't vote for)pockets. ;)
I-10 in Arizona is the only road worse than California roads. Thought we were going to break the front axle there.
thanks blue_goose
good to know about the charged twice . so if only 1 transponder with rv and towed then only 1 charge ?
dave
We use SunPass in FL. When you're towing with the bus - only one transponder and an increased charge for however many axles are on the road for that unit. There is always a dedicated charge for any & every transponder that is transmitting. With that being said if you are carrying another transponder - have it stowed so it cant transmit! Otherwise your may get charged twice...
when I signed up the nice lady on the other end of the phone said I needed a transponder for the truck ( towed ) as well as the coach but I think you guys are right and I am thinking of removing the 2nd transponder from my account so not to be charged twice
dave
I think if you store it in it's foil pouch, it cand be read. Then you have it if and when you need it.
Stick it in the microwave.
Poor man's Faraday cage.
Pull the plug so you don't accidently nuke it.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Till you or the wife forgets.😬
the so called transponder for the truck is a sticker with a large bar code on it and not like the real transponder that I put in the window of the coach . But on my account there are 2 transponder s/n 1 for each plate
if I remove the truck transponder from the account I will have to call them to have it put back on the account if needed
Quote from: chessie4905 on December 22, 2019, 02:41:22 PM
Till you or the wife forgets.😬
Dang we all know not to start a microwave without putting something in it first. I think I have only started one empty; once in the last few decades LOL!
But hey most potato chip bags have a metallic lining, simply reverse the bag so the silver side is out so you know what you are using it for.
I once just completed getting final inspection for a c of o on a new toll booth at the Orlando airport and on the way home got a call that the place was on fire. Someone turned the brand new microwave on with all the unwrapped contents in it - didn't work for that contractor long after that... :-\
Wow. Haha.