All articles tagged with #e zpass
New Hampshire transportation officials are warning E-ZPass users in the state about a smishing campaign where scammers send text messages instructing people to pay a fake balance and directing them to a fraudulent website. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation emphasized that E-ZPass New Hampshire will never request payment through text messages.
The Ohio Turnpike has implemented a new open toll system, allowing drivers to travel the entire 241-mile toll road without stopping, with E-ZPass users saving an average of 33% on tolls and the system being compatible with 17 other states. The new system features four new overhead toll plazas and the removal of seven traditional toll plazas, aiming to make toll collection safer and more convenient for travelers. However, drivers should be cautious as failure to read the E-ZPass transponder could result in higher fees.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is cautioning E-ZPass users about a phishing scam involving text messages requesting personal financial information under the guise of "PA Turnpike Toll Services." The commission advises recipients not to click on any links and to use approved methods such as the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app to check their accounts. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies nationwide, and affected customers are encouraged to report fraudulent messages to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
The MTA has installed advanced tolling technology in Manhattan for its upcoming congestion pricing program, using E-ZPass readers and infrared cameras to track and toll vehicles entering the designated zone below 60th Street. The system can automatically detect vehicle size and type to apply the appropriate toll rate, with the goal of generating $1 billion annually for MTA projects. Despite legal challenges, the MTA plans to launch the program in June and has expressed concerns about potential toll evasion.
The Illinois Tollway has introduced new I-PASS stickers, which can be obtained online, at select stores, or in person at customer service centers. The stickers are free when ordered online or obtained at a customer service center, but a retail service fee applies at select stores. Existing transponders can still be used until they expire, and the $10 deposit will be transferred to prepaid toll account balances when a new sticker is registered. Each sticker is permanently installed on a vehicle's windshield and can be used in multiple states once registered to an I-PASS account.
New York State Thruway tolls are set to increase by 5% for E-ZPass holders starting in 2024, with an additional 5% increase planned for 2027. This marks the first toll hike in 14 years, with some drivers potentially facing up to a 75% increase in toll fees. The state justifies the increase by citing the need to maintain infrastructure, while some residents express skepticism about the use of toll revenue. The state maintains that even with the hike, New York's toll rates remain among the lowest in the country.
Starting January 7, 2024, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will implement a 5% toll increase for all E-ZPass and Toll By Plate customers. E-ZPass passenger vehicle rates will rise from $1.80 to $1.90, while Toll By Plate rates will go from $4.40 to $4.70. Tractor-trailer E-ZPass rates will increase from $14.40 to $15.20, with Toll By Plate rates jumping from $24.90 to $30.90. Additionally, tolls for eight Delaware River bridges will also see an increase. This move is part of a legislative mandate to provide funding for state transit systems, despite a reduction in the annual payment from $450 million to $50 million.