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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTappanzee Rip Off -- coming soon to Massachusetts.
We traveled to PA in May and crossed the Tappan Zee Bridge on the way. Not keeping up on NY traffic news, we were surprised to see that the toll booths were gone. We apparently missed any warning signs about "Tolls By Mail," and today received our first bill for $5 -- plus a $5 late fee. How can it be late if we never received a bill in the first place? Our trip was within two weeks of the new system being implemented. Going to the Tolls By Mail web site, we couldn't even pay online, despite the bill saying we could.
I'm more concerned with the "late fee." We never got a bill, so how could it be late? It seems like a great source of extra revenue for the Turnpike Authority, as I'd bet most people will just pay the 100% surcharge because it's such a hassle to contest it.
Coming soon to the Massachusetts Turnpike!
Warpy
(111,329 posts)Uh, no, not even in NYC. It's always one reason I went north of the city before I went south to go elsewhere.
sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)At least you only have to pay one way, it costs nothing to leave the city.
MADem
(135,425 posts)They're gonna track you one way or another, and the EZ Pass box just takes your cash. You load it up with a pre-determined amount each month (or quarter, if you don't do a lot of toll driving) up to a pre-designated point (they don't refill it if you don't spend it) and they just take it out of your account.
Atman
(31,464 posts)Last edited Wed Aug 17, 2016, 10:51 PM - Edit history (1)
So I occasionally drive on the NJ turnpike or the MASS PIKE, but in Western Mass...two exits. Toll total about 45¢. And EZ Pass isn't accepted on Florida's for-profit privatized highways (Florida is where family lives, and the only other place I'm likely to be driving). It just doesn't make any sense to have an EZ Pass. This camera scam on the Tappan Zee is a blatant rip-off. Your response is a good example...just deposit money with them and some day maybe you might use it. Bullshit.
MADem
(135,425 posts)The box is free, and they reload your money. You don't have to give them a lot, if you don't use it much, give 'em twenty five bucks. It beats being stuck for the toll in the slow-moving "cash only" lanes...and some places, you can just go under a card reader and barely slow down instead of having to stop and give them money.
They get ya no matter what--I find the convenience worth it, especially going in and out of Logan (which I do often).
MiniMe
(21,718 posts)Tell them that this is the first bill you got and dispute the late fee. They are probably having a lot of problems with the new system.
It isn't uncommon for the toll to be higher if they have to mail you the bill, it is in the DC area. If you don't have an EZpass and they mail you a bill, the fee is much higher. I got an EZpass from Delaware because they don't charge you if you don't use it often. Some states want to charge an amount if you haven't used it, they want a minimum amount per month. It doesn't matter what state you get the EZpass through so check the rules on having one before you purchase it.
Atman
(31,464 posts)I had no option. None. They shouldn't charge me a 100% surcharge just because I don't have an EZPass. EZPass toll rate is already .25¢ lower than regular toll rate. Why an additional $5 fee for a bill which was never sent to me?
MiniMe
(21,718 posts)I'm in no way defending them charging you a late fee, but the state does incur extra money by not having the automatic deduction from you because it requires human intervention. I hate it myself.
And they eliminated the Toll Booths, not the Toll. That is the other place they can save money, no people in the Toll Booth.