Monday, June 29, 2009

Maryland My Maryland

Expect to pony up more for E-Z Pass in Md.
Along with everything else in this socialist paradise
“
MARYLAND -  Many drivers swear by it, but using E-Z Pass is about to get more expensive.

Beginning July 1, if you signed up for the service in Maryland, you'll be charged a monthly fee of $1.50. That's per account, not per transponder. A standard new or replacement transponder will cost $21.

There's also a new incentive to make sure you keep enough money in your account. If you travel through a toll booth with limited funds to cover the toll, you'll be billed the amount of the toll plus $3. Then, if you don't pay the bill by the deadline, you'll be hit with a $25 fee - up from $15.

The Maryland Transportation Authority says the changes will help make up for a recent rise in operating costs, and a simultaneous drop in toll revenue.
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6/29/2009 03:12:00 PM 10 Comments

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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well on the bright side, when I visit my daughter in Columbia, especially in the spring, it's quite beautiful. Wonder when there will be a collective awakening?
MM

6/29/09, 6:53 PM
Anonymous said...

As I mentioned in a comment post below, I turned in my EZ Pass transponder today.

While contemplating this action, I looked around at various states EZ Pass websites. Most of them mentioned the convenience, ability to breeze through toll booths, and gas savings. None of them mention that it saves the various turnpike authorities a large amount of money not to have toll takers around and not to have to build extra toll booths. On the other hand, in thinking about this, maybe union contracts require them to have a certain number of toll takers on hand and that's why we see only one or two EZ Pass only lanes and many more EZ Pass/cash lanes.

Did you know that in New Jersey at the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels they not only have toll takers in the booths, but also they have an observation building where supervisors watch the toll takers through binoculars to ensure that they aren't stealing money.

The Maryland legislature has no guts. This is like smoking. If you want to discourage a behavior, you increase the taxes on it. You don't tax the non-smokers more. But, this is exactly what the Maryland legislature has done. They should have raised the cash tolls rather than tacking on surcharges for EZ Pass users.

BTW the line was almost out the door at the EZ Pass administration office at the Chesapeake Bridge.

JLW III

6/29/09, 8:07 PM
Rodger the Real King of France said...

:
"BTW the line was almost out the door at the EZ Pass administration office at the Chesapeake Bridge."

Why? To return the EZ module? ??

6/29/09, 8:27 PM
Anonymous said...

You know you are @#ucked up and the brainwashing has taken hold when you are excited about an easier way for the government to take your money!

6/29/09, 8:44 PM
DoubleU said...

In South Florida the Sun Pass (get it EZpass in Florida?) The Sun Pass receivers are all over the place, not just on toll roads. Almost as if they are tracking you wherever you go.

6/29/09, 9:07 PM
Anonymous said...

Authority says the changes will help make up for a recent rise in (operating costs) the emmigration of Maryland businesses and wealthy individuals.
Fixed it. Truth to Power!!
Lt. Col. Gen. Tailgunner dick

6/29/09, 11:56 PM
Anonymous said...

Yes, RKofF, all except a couple were returning their transponders.

JLW III

6/30/09, 6:57 AM
Rodger the Real King of France said...

Why not do it by mail? Or not return them at all?

6/30/09, 10:00 AM
Anonymous said...

You have to turn in your transponder in order to close your account. Otherwise you'll be charged the $1.50 per month fee.

I did it in person since I was in the neighborhood and didn't want to hassle with the post office. I have a receipt for the transponder and a promise to repay my positive balance.

The clerk behind the counter wearily asked me if I was turning it in because of the fee schedule. I said, "Yes." I refrained from handing her a teabag since she didn't have anything to do with it. She was probably working harder than she had ever worked in her life. She looked well fed.

JLW III

6/30/09, 12:07 PM
JimB said...

Monthly charge in NY and NJ has been $2.00 per month for a couple of years now. If you don't have an EZ-Pass it turns a 1 hour ride fron North NJ to Nassau County , LI to a 3 hour ride.

6/30/09, 1:56 PM

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