Florida's Turnpike & Georgia ExpressLanes to join E-ZPass Network

[Ned Weasel]

Illinois toll roads are about 100 miles closer to Saint Paul than they are to anywhere in Kansas, though–besides which, travelers to Kansas only need to use the KTA if they travel farther west than metro KCK.

Except for Turnpike Exit 212, which is in Metro KC.

(And Lawrence really should be considered Metro KC, but for some reason, the Census Bureau gives it its own MSA--la de frickin' da!)

[kphoger]

Illinois toll roads are about 100 miles closer to Saint Paul than they are to anywhere in Kansas, though–besides which, travelers to Kansas only need to use the KTA if they travel farther west than metro KCK.

Except for Turnpike Exit 212, which is in Metro KC.

(And Lawrence really should be considered Metro KC, but for some reason, the Census Bureau gives it its own MSA--la de frickin' da!)

meh.  Exit 212 is in the middle of farmland.  I have my doubts that anyone from Illinois is exiting there.

[BridgesToIdealism]

is there a list of all of the systems that are on E-ZPass?

https://www.e-zpassiag.com/about-e-zpass/where-can-i-use-it

(although that site implies the Chicago Skyway is the only part of ISTHA that accepts EZPass)

Actually, that site lists Illinois Tollway and then indicates the Chicago Skyway as a "sub-item", therefore just clarifying that the Chicago Skyway is a toll facility not operated by ISTHA yet still takes E-ZPass. Additionally, I'll note that the site indicates Alabama doesn't have any electronic toll collection when that is not true - all four of Alabama's toll facilities (Foley Beach Express, Emerald Mountain Expressway/Parkway, Tuscaloosa Bypass/J.M. Parkway, and Montgomery Expressway/Alabama River Parkway) are privately owned and maintained but do take FreedomPass which is like SC PalmettoPass in that it is unique to Alabama and only works in Alabama. Ironically, the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel between Michigan and Ontario is also owned/operated by the same private group that maintains Alabama's toll facilities (American Roads, LLC) yet the DWT doesn't accept the FreedomPass and instead has its own transponder that only works at that crossing (doesn't even work at the Ambassador or Blue Water Bridges - both of those each have their own systems unique to their facilities).

On the topic of Alabama, I would suggest that Alabama's FreedomPass and Louisiana's GeauxPass be made interoperable with each other, since they are both private entities (the LA 1 Gateway to the Gulf Expressway where GeauxPass is used is at least in part privately maintained) and neither state geographically fits in well with any of the other pre-established "hubs". If we can merge SC into at least the Southeast Hub and preferably the E-ZPass network, then merge AL and LA together, add MN into the Central Hub, and merge WA and CA together, we've made a huge step toward nationwide interoperability by making it easier for these groups/hubs to merge as one rather than independently. I'm not sure what we would do about Colorado and E-470 Public Highway's ExpressToll and Northwest Parkway's GO-PASS, both of which are interoperable with each other but not with anything else, and CO doesn't really fit into any geographical hub either.

Oh, and on a related note, the Nassau County Bridge Authority needs to install E-ZPass equipment, or else the state and/or the city needs to take over the Atlantic Beach Bridge and abolish the NCBA. The Downbeach Express/Margate Toll Bridge also needs to follow in the footsteps of CMCBC and add E-ZPass at their facility. I can understand it for something like Dingman's Ferry that is in the middle of nowhere, but stuff like Atlantic Beach and Margate that see large amounts of traffic ought to be caught up with the rest of the region.

[Thing 342]

The interesting thing about that article is that it seems to imply interoperability in both directions (that is, a SunPass would work throughout the E-ZPass network), but it's not 100% clear from the way it's written. Of course, you still have special exceptions where interoperability won't help the average motorist, mainly free access to the HO/T lanes in Virginia and North Carolina where you need a switchable transponder. I assume E-ZPass Flex will not be accepted for toll-free access to Florida's HO/T lanes given their requirement that you register your vehicle.

2-way interoperability seems like a long shot. I can't see those sticker-based SunPass transponders working in EZ-Pass territory.

I'm curious if this means that Sun and Peach Pass will be phased out in favor of EZ-Pass or if the brands will coexist.

[Joe The Dragon]

Did Ontario's 407 ETR ever join EZPass? They use the same MarkIV/now Kapsch Transponders, at least I thought, anyway

and people will get and USA pass to get out of there HIGH fees to rent them

[Joe The Dragon]

The interesting thing about that article is that it seems to imply interoperability in both directions (that is, a SunPass would work throughout the E-ZPass network), but it's not 100% clear from the way it's written. Of course, you still have special exceptions where interoperability won't help the average motorist, mainly free access to the HO/T lanes in Virginia and North Carolina where you need a switchable transponder. I assume E-ZPass Flex will not be accepted for toll-free access to Florida's HO/T lanes given their requirement that you register your vehicle.

let's see they bill you the toll ETC rate + 0 zero fine + 0 points for doing that?

[Joe The Dragon]

This is awesome news.  If only this had happened three years earlier, I could have saved myself a LOT of time driving to and/or from the keys by not taking US 1 both directions through the endless strip malls in Miami's suburbs.

I can't tell from your post if you're already aware of this or not, but NFBC and the Peace Bridge Authority actually do already accept E-ZPass, which interestingly results in the only E-ZPass infrastructure in Canada, as the toll booths are on the Ontario side of the bridges (e.g. https://goo.gl/maps/YJJQe46QyPDEny3d8)

It's not advertised on the booths, but the Thousand Islands Bridge now accepts E-ZPass.  The southbound toll is collected on the Canadian mainland, and unlike the Niagara River bridges, because of the islands, not only is there E-ZPass infrastructure in Canada, it's possible to use it without crossing the border.

As for 407 ETR joining E-ZPass, it shouldn't matter that it's a private concession. Plenty of US toll roads that are similarly organized accept E-ZPass, including both roads owned by states and leased to private entities (e.g. ITR, Chicago Skyway) and roads entirely built, owned, and maintained by private entities (e.g. Dulles Greenway). There shouldn't be any legal obstacle, especially since 407 ETR already has access to license plate data for billing.

I assume this is not a matter of legality but a matter of not wanting to give up all the money to be made by outrageously high bill by mail fees.

foreign transponder fee + exchange fee / bad exchange rate?

[Joe The Dragon]

Also I forgot to mention that for Florida, there is still the LeeWay system used on the two bridges in Cape Coral (which I believe at one time were privately owned but have since been transferred to county maintenance). LeeWay is already interoperable with SunPass and I believe E-PASS as well, but the question is whether or not it will join the FTE E-ZPass agreement or not? Even if not, that's only two bridges out of all of the toll roads in Florida, which isn't really a big deal (obviously excluding the bridges that remain privately owned and don't take any form of electronic toll collection, such as Gasperilla Island and Hammock Dunes).

and they really can't hit some one out of state with the Toll + $20 fee per poll while saying we have the SunPass and E-PASS logos but not the E-ZPass one so you have to pay it line?
Even when other BIGGER toll roads may have the E-Zpass + SunPass + E-Pass logo at the start points. And Yes the auto train is an Start Point for people with E-ZPass

[vdeane]

This is awesome news.  If only this had happened three years earlier, I could have saved myself a LOT of time driving to and/or from the keys by not taking US 1 both directions through the endless strip malls in Miami's suburbs.

I can't tell from your post if you're already aware of this or not, but NFBC and the Peace Bridge Authority actually do already accept E-ZPass, which interestingly results in the only E-ZPass infrastructure in Canada, as the toll booths are on the Ontario side of the bridges (e.g. https://goo.gl/maps/YJJQe46QyPDEny3d8)

It's not advertised on the booths, but the Thousand Islands Bridge now accepts E-ZPass.  The southbound toll is collected on the Canadian mainland, and unlike the Niagara River bridges, because of the islands, not only is there E-ZPass infrastructure in Canada, it's possible to use it without crossing the border.

As for 407 ETR joining E-ZPass, it shouldn't matter that it's a private concession. Plenty of US toll roads that are similarly organized accept E-ZPass, including both roads owned by states and leased to private entities (e.g. ITR, Chicago Skyway) and roads entirely built, owned, and maintained by private entities (e.g. Dulles Greenway). There shouldn't be any legal obstacle, especially since 407 ETR already has access to license plate data for billing.

I assume this is not a matter of legality but a matter of not wanting to give up all the money to be made by outrageously high bill by mail fees.

foreign transponder fee + exchange fee / bad exchange rate?

That would be another reason for the lack of interoperability... E-ZPass has no way to deal with foreign currencies.

[DJ Particle]

Frankly, the only thing keeping me from getting MNPass is that it's not compatible with EZPass

[Ned Weasel]

Frankly, the only thing keeping me from getting MNPass is that it's not compatible with EZPass

Can you have both simultaneously, like you can with K-TAG and I-Pass (as long as you position and space them appropriately on your windshield)?

[kphoger]

is there a list of all of the systems that are on E-ZPass?

https://www.e-zpassiag.com/about-e-zpass/where-can-i-use-it

(although that site implies the Chicago Skyway is the only part of ISTHA that accepts EZPass)

Actually, that site lists Illinois Tollway and then indicates the Chicago Skyway as a "sub-item", therefore just clarifying that the Chicago Skyway is a toll facility not operated by ISTHA yet still takes E-ZPass.

Actually, that site lists "Illinois State Toll Highway (Tollway) Authority" and then indicates the Chicago Skyway as the only sub-item of that.  I suppose that could imply that all of the ISTHA accepts EZPass, plus the Chicago Skyway–but it still implies that the Skyway is part of ISTHA.  Which it isn't.

[jbnv]

On the topic of Alabama, I would suggest that Alabama's FreedomPass and Louisiana's GeauxPass be made interoperable with each other, since they are both private entities (the LA 1 Gateway to the Gulf Expressway where GeauxPass is used is at least in part privately maintained) and neither state geographically fits in well with any of the other pre-established "hubs". If we can merge SC into at least the Southeast Hub and preferably the E-ZPass network, then merge AL and LA together, add MN into the Central Hub, and merge WA and CA together, we've made a huge step toward nationwide interoperability by making it easier for these groups/hubs to merge as one rather than independently.

Personally I'd rather see Louisiana contract its toll processing to Texas. Louisiana has only a handful of toll roads and isn't likely to get many more besides the forthcoming HOV/HOT lanes on I-12 in Baton Rouge. I already have a TxTag, as do a lot of Texans with family in Louisiana, and vice versa.

Given that Louisiana residents do a lot of vacationing between Corpus Christi and Orlando, it would behoove all of us to have a toll tag that works across the region. But I'm not waiting on Louisiana to make it even easier for people to leave the state. 

[BridgesToIdealism]

On the topic of Alabama, I would suggest that Alabama's FreedomPass and Louisiana's GeauxPass be made interoperable with each other, since they are both private entities (the LA 1 Gateway to the Gulf Expressway where GeauxPass is used is at least in part privately maintained) and neither state geographically fits in well with any of the other pre-established "hubs". If we can merge SC into at least the Southeast Hub and preferably the E-ZPass network, then merge AL and LA together, add MN into the Central Hub, and merge WA and CA together, we've made a huge step toward nationwide interoperability by making it easier for these groups/hubs to merge as one rather than independently.

Personally I'd rather see Louisiana contract its toll processing to Texas. Louisiana has only a handful of toll roads and isn't likely to get many more besides the forthcoming HOV/HOT lanes on I-12 in Baton Rouge. I already have a TxTag, as do a lot of Texans with family in Louisiana, and vice versa.

Given that Louisiana residents do a lot of vacationing between Corpus Christi and Orlando, it would behoove all of us to have a toll tag that works across the region. But I'm not waiting on Louisiana to make it even easier for people to leave the state. 

Louisiana currently only has two toll roads - the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and the Gateway to the Gulf Expressway. Both of these are privately owned, with the causeway being maintained by a local bridge authority known as the "Causeway Commission" and the Gateway to the Gulf (LA 1 Tollway) being a private concession. As far as I know, the Louisiana GeauxPass that was originally developed for the Crescent City Connection when it was still a toll bridge works at both the Causeway and the Gateway to the Gulf, although the Causeway also has its own toll transponder that only works at the causeway. I was not aware of any new HOT lanes in Louisiana.

[CtrlAltDel]

Actually, that site lists Illinois Tollway and then indicates the Chicago Skyway as a "sub-item", therefore just clarifying that the Chicago Skyway is a toll facility not operated by ISTHA yet still takes E-ZPass.

That was almost certainly the intent. As it is actually presented, however, the implication is clearly that the Chicago Skyway is the only part of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority that takes E-ZPass. Because they are distinct entities, they should both have the same level of bullet and indentation.

[Brandon]

The interesting thing about that article is that it seems to imply interoperability in both directions (that is, a SunPass would work throughout the E-ZPass network), but it's not 100% clear from the way it's written. Of course, you still have special exceptions where interoperability won't help the average motorist, mainly free access to the HO/T lanes in Virginia and North Carolina where you need a switchable transponder. I assume E-ZPass Flex will not be accepted for toll-free access to Florida's HO/T lanes given their requirement that you register your vehicle.

2-way interoperability seems like a long shot. I can't see those sticker-based SunPass transponders working in EZ-Pass territory.

I'm curious if this means that Sun and Peach Pass will be phased out in favor of EZ-Pass or if the brands will coexist.

They probably will continue to coexist.  It's been a good 10-15 years since ISTHA joined EZ Pass, yet they still maintain the I-Pass branding.

[1995hoo]

The interesting thing about that article is that it seems to imply interoperability in both directions (that is, a SunPass would work throughout the E-ZPass network), but it's not 100% clear from the way it's written. Of course, you still have special exceptions where interoperability won't help the average motorist, mainly free access to the HO/T lanes in Virginia and North Carolina where you need a switchable transponder. I assume E-ZPass Flex will not be accepted for toll-free access to Florida's HO/T lanes given their requirement that you register your vehicle.

2-way interoperability seems like a long shot. I can't see those sticker-based SunPass transponders working in EZ-Pass territory.

I'm curious if this means that Sun and Peach Pass will be phased out in favor of EZ-Pass or if the brands will coexist.

They probably will continue to coexist.  It's been a good 10-15 years since ISTHA joined EZ Pass, yet they still maintain the I-Pass branding.

I would expect the branding would co-exist for at least some amount of time due to old transponder lifespan, which in the case of the sticker devices used by SunPass (and I think PeachPass, though I'm not sure) is likely to be quite some time. That is, I remember when Virginia joined E-ZPass, the signs continued to display the old Smart Tag logo for several years afterwards, presumably to ensure that anyone with an older transponder would know he could use those lanes. The last place I knew of some Smart Tag logos still in use were some signs on the Dulles Greenway, but it's been a while since I've been on that road, so I don't know if they're still there and Street View doesn't provide a date, and of course it also bears noting VDOT is not responsible for the signage on that road.

The sticker tags raise an interesting question in this regard because an E-ZPass transponder has a finite lifespan due to being battery-powered. I doubt there are any Virginia Smart Tag transponders that remain functional–that is, some may still be out there, but the batteries have surely died by now because the older Smart Tag had a shorter battery life than newer-generation E-ZPass transponders. (Virginia joined E-ZPass sometime between 2002 and 2006 when Mark Warner was governor.) Thus, it was sensible that Virginia phased out the old logo over time. I wonder how the seemingly indefinite life of sticker devices would affect that.

[Brandon]

The interesting thing about that article is that it seems to imply interoperability in both directions (that is, a SunPass would work throughout the E-ZPass network), but it's not 100% clear from the way it's written. Of course, you still have special exceptions where interoperability won't help the average motorist, mainly free access to the HO/T lanes in Virginia and North Carolina where you need a switchable transponder. I assume E-ZPass Flex will not be accepted for toll-free access to Florida's HO/T lanes given their requirement that you register your vehicle.

2-way interoperability seems like a long shot. I can’t see those sticker-based SunPass transponders working in EZ-Pass territory.

I’m curious if this means that Sun and Peach Pass will be phased out in favor of EZ-Pass or if the brands will coexist.

They probably will continue to coexist.  It's been a good 10-15 years since ISTHA joined EZ Pass, yet they still maintain the I-Pass branding.

I would expect the branding would co-exist for at least some amount of time due to old transponder lifespan, which in the case of the sticker devices used by SunPass (and I think PeachPass, though I'm not sure) is likely to be quite some time. That is, I remember when Virginia joined E-ZPass, the signs continued to display the old Smart Tag logo for several years afterwards, presumably to ensure that anyone with an older transponder would know he could use those lanes. The last place I knew of some Smart Tag logos still in use were some signs on the Dulles Greenway, but it's been a while since I've been on that road, so I don't know if they're still there and Street View doesn't provide a date, and of course it also bears noting VDOT is not responsible for the signage on that road.

The sticker tags raise an interesting question in this regard because an E-ZPass transponder has a finite lifespan due to being battery-powered. I doubt there are any Virginia Smart Tag transponders that remain functional—that is, some may still be out there, but the batteries have surely died by now because the older Smart Tag had a shorter battery life than newer-generation E-ZPass transponders. (Virginia joined E-ZPass sometime between 2002 and 2006 when Mark Warner was governor.) Thus, it was sensible that Virginia phased out the old logo over time. I wonder how the seemingly indefinite life of sticker devices would affect that.

I sincerely doubt the branding will go away.  It'll probably be more along the lines of the signs ISTHA uses: https://goo.gl/maps/oASnbKptpAZR5pEc9
The I-Pass branding is still very much alive, and all of these signs are posted by ISTHA.  In fact, Illinoisans tend to call it I-Pass, even in other states.

Example Signage
https://goo.gl/maps/nzduNcp2Fo9JS4FR6
https://goo.gl/maps/WhhdoPBmCgpJvxwA8
https://goo.gl/maps/H884xKQ3jvaXNmfc6

Other State & Agency Signage
https://goo.gl/maps/Rs4wZTwhTJDN9Hbt9

[WillWeaverRVA]

The interesting thing about that article is that it seems to imply interoperability in both directions (that is, a SunPass would work throughout the E-ZPass network), but it's not 100% clear from the way it's written. Of course, you still have special exceptions where interoperability won't help the average motorist, mainly free access to the HO/T lanes in Virginia and North Carolina where you need a switchable transponder. I assume E-ZPass Flex will not be accepted for toll-free access to Florida's HO/T lanes given their requirement that you register your vehicle.

2-way interoperability seems like a long shot. I can’t see those sticker-based SunPass transponders working in EZ-Pass territory.

I’m curious if this means that Sun and Peach Pass will be phased out in favor of EZ-Pass or if the brands will coexist.

They probably will continue to coexist.  It's been a good 10-15 years since ISTHA joined EZ Pass, yet they still maintain the I-Pass branding.

I would expect the branding would co-exist for at least some amount of time due to old transponder lifespan, which in the case of the sticker devices used by SunPass (and I think PeachPass, though I'm not sure) is likely to be quite some time. That is, I remember when Virginia joined E-ZPass, the signs continued to display the old Smart Tag logo for several years afterwards, presumably to ensure that anyone with an older transponder would know he could use those lanes. The last place I knew of some Smart Tag logos still in use were some signs on the Dulles Greenway, but it's been a while since I've been on that road, so I don't know if they're still there and Street View doesn't provide a date, and of course it also bears noting VDOT is not responsible for the signage on that road.

The sticker tags raise an interesting question in this regard because an E-ZPass transponder has a finite lifespan due to being battery-powered. I doubt there are any Virginia Smart Tag transponders that remain functional—that is, some may still be out there, but the batteries have surely died by now because the older Smart Tag had a shorter battery life than newer-generation E-ZPass transponders. (Virginia joined E-ZPass sometime between 2002 and 2006 when Mark Warner was governor.) Thus, it was sensible that Virginia phased out the old logo over time. I wonder how the seemingly indefinite life of sticker devices would affect that.

I have a dual-branded transponder (i.e., it says both Smart Tag and E-ZPass) and it still works, though I suspect it may be on its last legs since the last time I went through a toll (Courthouse Rd exit on northbound VA 76), the transponder didn't read and I got a red light. I got it in 2007.

[jbnv]

I was not aware of any new HOT lanes in Louisiana.

That's because they haven't been added yet.

[vdeane]

Regarding brading, keep in mind that there are two types of E-ZPass membership - being a full member of the IAG where the transponder is actually E-ZPass (most members), and being an affiliate member, maintaining one's own transponder but being interoperable (NC QuickPass, KY/IN RiverLink).  SunPass and PeachPass will almost certainly have the latter type of membership, and as such they'd maintain their own brands.  People would just have to know that E-ZPass will work on those roads as well.

[deathtopumpkins]

The last place I knew of some Smart Tag logos still in use were some signs on the Dulles Greenway, but it's been a while since I've been on that road, so I don't know if they're still there and Street View doesn't provide a date, and of course it also bears noting VDOT is not responsible for the signage on that road.

I drove the Greenway last Friday and there were still plenty of Smart Tag signs out there. I was a little surprised given it's been 13 years now.



Regarding transponder branding, MA finally removed all FastLane signage that I was aware of with the AET conversion (branding changed to E-ZPass in 2012, signage removed around 2017). NH (and ME?) still has "FastLane accepted" signs at toll plazas though, and my fiance's original FastLane transponder is still working fine. There's always gonna be a transition period with co-branding.

[NJRoadfan]

About time. Florida is a mess because you have two different toll agencies maintaining parts of the same highway in spots (CFX and FTE). CFX accepts E-ZPass and does their best to inform motorists where the interoperability begins and ends, but its still confusing and it doesn't help that those roads serve Orlando International!

I don't know what equipment the Florida tollroads have at the booths, but its likely they will have dual mode readers for the active IAG protocol tags and ISO 6C sticker style tags like NC does. The only thing that complicates this is if the differing legacy tag systems between the various Florida toll authorities are active and still in use. I don't know if triple mode gantry readers are on the market (many were limited to running two tag protocols at a time).

As for PalmettoPass, they used to use the same Mark IV style transponders as E-ZPass did. Even had ACS maintaining their website and back office billing.

[ctkatz]

had this news come 3 years earlier, I might have gotten a riverlink ezpass instead of an nc quickpass ezpass.  I only got it since the qp was sympatico with the sunpass network.

it's my naive hope that the kTa and the texas and oklahoma turnpike systems would get on board too to create a defacto nationwide-ish transponder system.

[Mdcastle]

About 5 years ago I talked to some MnDOT people who basically said "we're ready for interoperability when the federal government makes us". At the time they were phasing out Telematics in favor of 6C and had installed multi-channel readers in anticipation of this requirement and for an orderly transition to 6C. Obviously things have changed. Right now the goal is summer 2021. They're going going to issue EZPass tags to all new customers and existing customers that want one rather than try to get all the EZPass agencies to accept Minnesota 6C tags somehow.

https://www.dot.state.mn.us/mnpass/mnpassnews.html