Do you use the Mass Pike? They're moving to an all-electronic toll system. Soon all the toll booths will be removed and a series of toll "gantries" will be installed instead. You drive through and your transponder gets changed.
But what if I don't have an E-ZPass, you ask. Well, the gantry will photograph your license plate and you'll get a bill in the mail later -- with some processing and handling fees tacked on.
So, if you don't have a transponder, you'll get dinged the processing fees on top of the toll, but it gets better -- your toll will be higher than a person with a transponder. From their FAQ:
Will people pay more if they don’t have Massachusetts E-ZPass transponder?
Yes. For each vehicle class, MassDOT has three rates at each gantry:
One rate is for users of E-ZPass transponders issued by the Commonwealth (E-ZPassMA).
One rate is for users of compatible transponders issued by other states (residents of other states can obtain EZPassMA transponders if they wish).
One rate is for vehicles that do not have any transponder and will be billed using the Pay-By-Plate system. This billing will include both the gantry charge and a processing fee to offset mailing and other costs associated with Pay-by-Plate users.
So if you don't have a E-ZPassMA you'll pay more. I sure do look forward to needing a different transponder for each state I drive through.
Admittedly, I don't use the Pike all that much, but this is ridiculous. I shouldn't have to pay a different price because I don't use their brand of transponder or, heaven forbid, don't want to have a transponder but I do have cash. Those transponders aren't exactly cheap and they need to be tied to a credit card. If you're poor, you might not be able to get a transponder and they you'll get charged more for using the tolls to commute. What happens if a bunch stack up or you fall behind? I assume they can be sued/prosecuted for that. It's a suck sandwich all around.
If you want to read up on it more, check here:
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TollInformation/AllElectronicTolling.aspx
Seattle has a three tier system. Cheapest: transponder. Slightly more expensive: register your license plate, auto-charge usage to your credit card monthly. Significantly more expensive: get a bill in the mail. I think that beats what MA is doing.
ReplyDeleteI do note that the link says you can get a transponder for free and you can replenish it with cash. This is still painful if you're poor since you need to pay in advance.
EZPass has in-state / out-of-state pricing across many states that use it. The only part that's new here is the difference between non-MA transponders and cash/post-billing.
ReplyDeleteSam: what do you mean by "full reciprocity"?
CITIZEN COMRADE YOU WILL SUBMIT TO CONSTANT SURVEILLANCE PLEASE INSERT THE RECTAL TRANSPONDER NOW PAJALSTA
ReplyDelete