NH really joining EZ pass (yes really)

[cantdog]

Another (not so)petty question here...

Since the discount in 30% and that would turn $.75 in $.525, which of course is not a whole penny value. Anyone use theirs and notice if they are rounding the fare?

Stealing $.005 is still stealing, whether or not they do it to you once or do it to millions of people a day.

 

[kickstand]

A few years ago, I read about Massachusetts abolising the exact change basket, leaving non pass owners forced to see a real person whether or not they had exact change. I certainly hope this doesn't happen in NH because I work in Manchester. Yeaterday, there was only *one* exact change lane open and it was all jammed up resulting in making seeing a real person the logical choice.

Yeah, I have my device, but for a variety of reasons, I haven't yet used it.

Anyone have the latest reliable information on when the token will stop being sold and stop being accepted?

I believe they said tokens will no longer be accepted starting 1/1/2006

 

[skibum1321]

I'm still waiting for mine

 

[georgeh]

EZPass

Electronics are used now here in NH. I have major concerns: I have NY account for over three years. I think there should be full reciprocity; I get discount going through a Delaware toll at 65mph! NH lawmakers need HELP.

The deal is only NH transponders will get the 30% at NH Tolls; tokens will be sold only through August, and will be accepted through this year. They had a glitch and transponders will be sold at $5 till mid August I think 16th; after that $27 or $30. MY NY transponder was no charge provided my account is linked to a valid credit card, and it is owned by them; when I cancel I must return it. If I had a MA account, the transponder fee (was $30) and was a DEPOSIT, and was refundable except for $5 when I cancel account; therefore I opted for the NY account - no money to put out.

NH is SELLING the tags; one forum writer is correct: we own it. I did apply in early July and have not received it yet. Another is obviously correct that if you show two tags, you will be charged on both accounts - electronics knows no difference. Caution: one news media story here in NH the other day said NHDOT was thinking of a monthly fee of $5!!! I say outrageous! The writer said that's the cost to maintain each account, regardless of the use. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT! THerefore, I may use my NY account down to just above the threshhold when it is replenished, and keep the account and the tag in the bag so it will not be "seen" by any toll collection. Then use my NH account till they possibly add that monthly fee; then consider the options of a monthly fee vs. paying full fair with my NY account!

My suggestion for those who wish to lobby for business-like decisions by NH lawmakers, blast emails to Governor & Executive Council, add NH Senators and memebrs of the House. All contact info is on government websites. My experience is some do read the emails and some do not.

For several years, I have emailed NHDOT that something is really wrong with the fact that manual collection takes LESS time to pass than waiting at the exact change lanes. So far at Hooksett, the EZ pass only lane is in the middle: to me sooooooo stupid: drivers were jockeying around to get there. In other places, the ONLY lane is far right with lots of signage in advance, such as Sturbridge exit off MA Pike; then when close we see more "only" lane(s) in middle. NH needs to make accomodations for the long distance truckers who have EZPass, and make an "only" lane on the very right!

Start your email blasts to lawmakers here in NH!!!!

 

[georgeh]

EZ pass update

Correction to my above: account tags cost $5.00 ONLY till Aug 3.
There is a PDF of NHDOT press story on their website.
No matter your State of residence, vehicle plates, etc., anyone may have an account with any jurisdiction for EZPass. I am NH resident and have had NY account for over three years! To take advantage of discount at the NH tolls, I have applied for a NH account, and I plan to cancel & return the NY tag.
I ski!

 

[georgeh]

EZ pass update

Correction to my above: account tags cost $5.00 ONLY till Aug 3.
There is a PDF of NHDOT press story on their website.
No matter your State of residence, vehicle plates, etc., anyone may have an account with any jurisdiction for EZPass. I am NH resident and have had NY account for over three years! To take advantage of discount at the NH tolls, I have applied for a NH account, and I plan to cancel & return the NY tag.
I ski!

 

[Vortex]

I had a mass one I cancelled. Ya the EZ pass lines are still a mess. It was tough going north on Friday. I came back Sat noonish there was a 2 mile back up going south and it was backed up from the tolls through concord going north. When I finally got in viewing distance of the EZ pass lane I pulled out and around and drove straight though. 4 lanes of traffic were merging into the one exact change token line. No one in the EZ pass lane. There is some work to be done. I would think it might get better when tokens are no longer allowed. I would hope another EZ pass only lane would evolve.

Georgeh... welcome. Hope to see you posting in the skiing forums. Happier times there. :wink:

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

EZ Pass Costs A Continuing Concern

NH Public Radio is reporting that the EZ Pass program is in place only a week, and is already far outstripping anticipated costs. The growing outlay is one reason the state's top transportation official has suspended all scheduled turnpike maintenance.

http://www.nhpr.org/view_content/9284/

The lengthy public sparring between the legislature and the governor over ez-pass has surely not hurt enrolment…the state has sold more than 100,000 ez-pass transponders. That's about three times more than anticipated and for each one, the state must pay about five dollars a month in administrative costs…

The political mudslinging is just beginning…will this program administration fee's bankrupt the State? :blink:

 

[hammer]

I've ordered my transponders, and if my some minor miracle I do get them before mid-August, I plan to use EZPass to pay tolls for a trip I'm taking to the NJ shore.

Does anyone know if the EZPass is accepted on the Tappan Zee bridge? I believe it is on the Garden State Parkway (which is great given all of the toll booths I'll have to go through).

 

[dmc]

Does anyone know if the EZPass is accepted on the Tappan Zee bridge? I believe it is on the Garden State Parkway (which is great given all of the toll booths I'll have to go through).

It's available for both...

 

[pizza]

Does anyone know if the EZPass is accepted on the Tappan Zee bridge? I believe it is on the Garden State Parkway (which is great given all of the toll booths I'll have to go through).

It's available for both...

I can think of only one toll within 150 miles of NYC that does NOT accept EZpass- and that is some worthless bridge on Long Island that connects to a barrier island. All of the Hudson River bridges take it. All of the Port Authority Crossings take it. All of the MTA crossings take it. The NY State Thruway (including the TZB) takes it. The Garden State Parkway takes it. The NJ Turnpike takes it. The PA turnpike takes it. The Mass Turnpike takes it. The Connecticut Turnpike takes it. The Delaware Turnpike takes it. The Maryland Turnpike takes it. All of the bridges from NJ to PA take it. All of the Baltimore harbor crossings take it. And now, New Hampshire takes it.

 

[ctenidae]

Edit: WARNING- Possible threadjack in progress:


The political mudslinging is just beginning…will this program administration fee's bankrupt the State?

Just wait until they start laying off toll collectors. That'll more than make up for the admin costs, but the politics should be interesting.

Any of you ever hear of the Policy Research Marketplace? It was set up by Adm Poindexter (of Iran/Contra fame, among others) as a way of gathering collective intelligence to predict world events. It was supposed to be a stockmarket-styled trading platform where people could buy "options" on political upheaval- if you thought Ariel Sharon was going to be assassinated in the next 6 months, you'd buy an option on that happening. If it did, everyone who sold options (thinking it wouldn't) would lose, and you'd get paid. Idea is the marketplace as a whole knows more than individuals. A sudden massive move towards an event happening means collectively people know something's up. Oddly interesting, though frightening idea. It'd be interesting to do that for domestic issues- will EZ Pass cause a restructuring of NH's highway admin, how many toll collectors get laid off, will Romney get the GOP nod for 2008, etc etc...

 

[Stephen]

Anyone see how incredibly inept NH drivers are at adjusting to EZ Pass at the toll booth.

And it's not just us. Yesterday I'm pulling up to the totally clear EZ Pass lane in Hooksett, with a line of token-lovers on the left and a line of dead-president lovers on the right. Just as I come whipping up to the booth, a DP lover whips out in front of me, pulls up to the booth and STOPS. Just sits there. I lay on my horn. She and her man turn around and flick me off. They sit there some more. Finally, the toll attendant from the DP lane sticks her head out the door and shouts at them, You're in an EZ Pass lane, just go. Just go. It's easy pass only, just go." Finally they peel out, flicking off me and the attendant at the same time.

Oh, and it was a Massh-, um, Mass driver, on top of it.

-Stephen

 

[Vortex]

Stephen a little further up on the thread I gave some posts on the fun of the tolls so far. It just is not working yet. Sounds like it was your fault from the account of your story. :wink:

 

[dmc]

It will get better once people learn to use the system..
It took a while in NYC too... I've seen fights almost break out when people get in the wrong lane..
But it's cooled off...

 

[hammer]

Anyone see how incredibly inept NH drivers are at adjusting to EZ Pass at the toll booth.

And it's not just us. Yesterday I'm pulling up to the totally clear EZ Pass lane in Hooksett, with a line of token-lovers on the left and a line of dead-president lovers on the right. Just as I come whipping up to the booth, a DP lover whips out in front of me, pulls up to the booth and STOPS. Just sits there. I lay on my horn. She and her man turn around and flick me off. They sit there some more. Finally, the toll attendant from the DP lane sticks her head out the door and shouts at them, You're in an EZ Pass lane, just go. Just go. It's easy pass only, just go." Finally they peel out, flicking off me and the attendant at the same time.

Oh, and it was a Massh-, um, Mass driver, on top of it.

-Stephen

If it was a true Mass. driver than they'd also be on their cell phone at the same time... :wink:

 

[ctenidae]

I have no faith there will ever be even 80% correct use of the Fast Lanes. Nearly everytime I go through a tollbooth, some moron is either pulling out of the empty combo lane to go through teh cash only lane, or crossing from one cash lane across 2 Fast Lanes to get to another cash lane. Amazes me.

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

NH Government Descions...

Thursday's Boston Globe ran an interesting article about the EZ Pass System and compared the differing States programs....

Even though it appears to be most expensive up front for the user, I believe the Mass Program does best of what the program is designed to...reduce driving time for the everyday highway (commuter) user without negatively impacting the State's finances...

It looks like NH’s best intentions for it's citizens is backfiring, causing the State to fund $$$$ possibly millions for out-of-state and non-commuter drivers looking for a discounted ride....

 

[smitty77]

Anyone see how incredibly inept NH drivers are at adjusting to EZ Pass at the toll booth.

Oh, and it was a Massh-, um, Mass driver, on top of it.

-Stephen

Sounds like a normal day on the Mass Pike. They're just 'schooling' you on proper EZ pass etiquette.

In other news, I heard this morning on Rock101 that EZ pass was activated yesterday at the Hampton tolls on I-95.

 

[Vortex]

I heard the date August 10th for the last tolls to go on line. The Hooksett, Bedford and Hampton are the only ones I use. ther must be some side exits not yet activated. The merrimack ones went on line a couple days after Bedford. I would guess just to make sure no flaws.