Provides Free E-ZPass Transponders, Reduced Toll Rates For All Marylanders
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) will permanently eliminate the $7.50 E-ZPass Maryland transponder fee for all new customers, putting $46 million back into Marylanders’ wallets over the next five years. In 2015, the governor announced major toll rollbacks across the state, resulting in $270 million in savings for our citizens.
“Today, we continue moving forward with a commitment to provide relief for Maryland taxpayers by putting an additional $46 million back into the pockets of hardworking middle class families, retirees, and small businesses - and back into our growing economy,” said Governor Hogan. “Three years ago I stood here at this very spot and began a statewide toll cut that started with $270 million - the first time tolls had been cut in Maryland in 50 years - and with today’s transponder fee elimination, we have now cut taxes, tolls, and fees by over $1.2 billion in the last four years.”
Free transponders eliminate $6 million in fees and provide new E-ZPass Maryland customers $40 million in toll discounts over the next five years. Customers using E-ZPass Maryland save 25 percent or more on Maryland tolls. At the Bay Bridge, the savings increases to 37.5 percent, or $2.50 for an E-ZPass customer versus $4.00 using cash.
In addition, the MDTA will replace nearly 400,000 aged transponders that are currently in circulation at no cost to customers. Anyone who bought a transponder in 2018 will be issued a credit of $7.50 as long as the account is registered and in good standing. Customers who bought a transponder this calendar year will see the $7.50 credit on their accounts in the next several weeks.
“It’s never been a better time to become an E-ZPass Maryland customer,” said MDTA Executive Director Kevin C. Reigrut. “Current cash and video tolling customers can now get a free transponder and save time and money with the substantial discount that E-ZPass Maryland offers.”
Additional E-ZPass benefits include an enhanced customer experience at toll plazas, time savings when traveling, improved air quality by lowering emissions, and by far, the most efficient toll payment method. The 2015 Toll Roll Back Plan also eliminated the $1.50 monthly account maintenance fee, and in February 2018, the MDTA unveiled its new E-ZPass Maryland mobile website, providing customers with an easier and more-convenient way to access to their accounts via ezpassmd.com.
Financed solely by toll revenue, the MDTA is the state agency that finances, owns, operates, and maintains the state’s eight toll facilities.
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I'm fine with this, just get those gosh darn CHEATERS to pay their fines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThey have no entitlement - play fair like the rest of us!!!!!
You want me to believe MD is going to hand out 6.13 million transponders in the next 5 years??? Looks like government math
ReplyDeleteI live in Md and got mine from DE for free years ago.
ReplyDeleteNorman Conway and Owe'Malley screwed us on that one.
ReplyDeleteReady for this. My E-Z Pass transponder's batteries died recently. It took almost a month for the notices to start rolling in. During that time I drove from Salz to Orlando back to Salz then to Rhode Island and Back to Salz. There were many notices, many fees and many threats to revoke all kinds of things.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry everything is fine. I contacted every states EZ Pass office and submitted my paperwork showing I had an account with money etc etc. Every state save 1 only made me pay the EZ pass lane toll no fees assessed whatsoever. Care to guess what state did not wave the fees?
If you guessed MD you win.
So they actually have a process for you to submit your reason for a Toll violation BUT get this. You only get a once in a life time waiver FOR ANY AND EVERYTHING. 1 time in the life of your account.
I have 4 transponders and have used EZ pass for almost 15 years. I used my "get out of jail free" card back in 2014 when the battery died on another transponder.
Atleast MD only charged me the PhotoPass rate with a 2$ upcharge and not the ludicrous DE rate of $50 for each violation.
I spent the last month fighting EZPASS MD only to give up last week because, lets be real, its only 2 extra dollars. But still.
How insane is that policy. A once in a life time waiver? On equipment that, in case you don't know, is your responsibility to make sure is working. How the hell they expect you to make sure its working is beyond me.
I got into this in detail with multiple supervisors. None of them would back off the once in a life time waiver. AND EZ PASS MD IS RUN WITH YOUR TAX DOLLARS. ALL THE EMPLOYEES WORK FOR D.O.T.
Just food for thought.