Drivers Urged to Sign Up For E-ZPass, Pay Lowest Tolls
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Larry Hogan today announced that full-time all-electronic (cashless) tolling is now permanent across Maryland, including at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (I-95), Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95), Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895), and Nice/Middleton Bridge (US 301). With all-electronic tolling, drivers do not stop to pay tolls. Instead, tolls are collected through E-ZPass and video tolling. The system provides convenience for motorists, less engine idling for better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, decreased congestion, and increased safety.
“In addition to historic toll relief and record-breaking progress on critical infrastructure updates, permanent all-electronic tolling is the latest step we have taken to save motorists time and money,” said Governor Hogan. “By combining innovation, safety, and savings, this truly is a win-win for the state government and for everyone who travels in our great state."
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) implemented temporary all-electronic tolling statewide in March as part of its COVID-19 response, and made all-electronic tolling permanent at the Bay Bridge in May with the installation of a new tolling gantry. Other MDTA facilities, including the Intercounty Connector (ICC)/MD 200, I-95 Express Toll Lanes in Baltimore, and the Key (I-695) and Hatem (US 40) bridges, already operate under all-electronic tolling.
“During the COVID-19 emergency, all-electronic tolling has been an operational success and has helped us protect our toll collection employees and the traveling public,” said MDTA Executive Director Jim Ports. “With this system now permanent, stopping to pay tolls in Maryland is a part of history.”
Under all-electronic tolling, motorists who previously paid with cash at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Fort McHenry Tunnel, Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, and the Nice/Middleton Bridge are currently assessed via video tolling at the cash rate. That temporary practice began in response to Maryland's COVID-19 state of emergency, and standard video toll rates will be restored at a date yet to be determined.
Motorists are urged to join the nearly 1.4 million drivers who pay the lowest tolls with E-ZPass Maryland. Transponders are free, and sign-up is available 24/7 at ezpassmd.com. Motorists also can get E-ZPass On-the-Go transponders at participating Giant Food and Weis Markets. The transponder comes with $25 in prepaid tolls for immediate use, then users can sign up online for E-ZPass service. A full list of retail locations is available at ezpassmd.com/en/onthego/locations.shtml.
Drivers will soon also have the option to register their vehicle for a new Pay-By-Plate method that allows tolls to be automatically billed to credit cards at the same rate as cash toll rates for all facilities, except the Intercounty Connector and I-95 Express Toll Lanes (ETL). For the ICC and ETL, customers using Pay-By-Plate will still save at least 20% on their tolls compared to the video toll rate. Pay-By-Plate benefits infrequent toll customers as well as those who do not have an E-ZPass account.
Since 2017, the MDTA has undertaken major training and career development initiatives to support permanent toll collection employees as they transition into other positions. These employees are currently assisting the MDTA in new ways, including as screeners at MDTA building entry points.
The MDTA E-ZPass Customer Service Centers located at toll facilities are operating at limited capacity during the COVID-19 state of emergency. To learn more about MDTA measures to assist customers during the COVID-19 emergency, go to mdta.maryland.gov/covid-19-response.
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7 comments:
oh thank you for helping me save gas
now,
jack gas up to 5.00 a gallon to pay for all your voters EBT cards
I don't understand why people wouldn't do this. They give you the ezpass for free. There is no monthly fee anymore. You can, but you don't have to link it to a credit card. They even give you a foil bag you can keep it in so they can't track you.
"all-electronic tolling has been an operational success and has helped us protect our toll collection employees"
Now the employees do not have a job. How is that protecting them?
Yet another change rushed through while taking advantage of the overblown Whu Flu.
Sorry for the loss of jobs but like many things technology has replaced humans. This has been a long time coming.
I would only use it maybe 4 times a year. Why would I get it when they were charging a minimum fee even if you never used it.
I was screwed over several times and you want me to believe the State will not have some sort of service fee for minimum usage.
There are no fees now to have a ezpass. You can just pay as you go, put 25.00$ on it and as its used up they will send you a email to let you know that your balance is low. I got one when the fees went away. Many other states have been doing this for years, so its no surprise to me that Md finally started doing it. Sorry about the job loss but they had to know that this was coming, even i knew it was a matter of time.
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