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

[BridgesToIdealism]

Looks like the Florida's Turnpike Enterprise and Georgia's State Road & Tollway Authority will be joining the E-ZPass Network. That will cover all of Florida, since CFX & E-PASS are already part of the network, and MDX & THEA both use the regular FTE SunPass. GA SRTA only manages the Metro Atlanta express toll lanes, but the PeachPass required to use those lanes will be joining the network too. Now all that's left is South Carolina's PalmettoPass from Hilton Head Island and Greenville, and there will be interoperability up and down the east coast (obviously with the exception of private infrastructure that doesn't accept ETC at all). For some reason it seems that SC PalPass isn't currently interoperable with anything, which is strange. But in terms of FL and GA, I must say that it's about time!

https://tollroadsnews.com/mailbag/fte-and-srta-to-join-e-zpass-network/

[DJ Particle]

Did MNPass ever join the EZPass network?  I know they were trying to.

[ilpt4u]

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

[Ned Weasel]

Did MNPass ever join the EZPass network?  I know they were trying to.

If Minnesota gets E-ZPass, Kansas ought to be outraged.  Both are two states away from the nearest E-ZPass state (Illinois).

[BridgesToIdealism]

I can't imagine 407 ETR joining the network because it is completely over an international boundary (as opposed to the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission and the Peace Bridge Authority that touch the United States at one end). Additionally, because the 407 ETR is a private concession, that would probably change/skew things at least to some extent given that E-ZPass is a state entity.

As I understand it, the primary and first focus was to get all of the Eastern Seaboard and the I-95 corridor compatible with one another, and there wasn't a big push to get the Central Interoperability Hub (K-Tag, PikePass, and TxTag) interoperable at the same time. Although MnPass isn't interoperable with anything except itself, geographically it would fall into the Central Hub as well. That being said, nationwide interoperability is something that really should and needs to happen (it sort of exists with the advent of NationalPass and BancPass, but it's not really ideal).

[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.

[Eth]

It's been 9 years since I was last in E-ZPass territory, but nevertheless this is certainly welcome news, assuming my existing Peach Pass windshield sticker will be compatible.

[Ned Weasel]

That being said, nationwide interoperability is something that really should and needs to happen (it sort of exists with the advent of NationalPass and BancPass, but it's not really ideal).

I looked up NationalPass a while ago.  It was so expensive, I can't imagine a lot of people could justify the cost of having one.

[deathtopumpkins]

(as opposed to the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission and the Peace Bridge Authority that touch the United States at one end)

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)

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.

[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.

[kphoger]

If Minnesota gets E-ZPass, Kansas ought to be outraged.  Both are two states away from the nearest E-ZPass state (Illinois).

Why would that make Kansas outraged?

[vdeane]

Meanwhile, South Carolina already borders an E-ZPass state, and will be surrounded by the time this is done.

[BridgesToIdealism]

To be blunt, South Carolina needs to get its act together. The Hilton Head Cross Island Parkway toll will be going away in a few years since the bridge is almost paid off, but the Greenville Southern Connector reportedly won't be paid off until 2040 or 2050 or something like that. Therefore, SC PalmettoPass really needs to be made interoperable at least with QuickPass, PeachPass, and SunPass, and preferably with E-ZPass too since QuickPass is part of E-ZPass and the other two will soon be part of E-ZPass.

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).

As for other issues with interoperability or lack thereof, I have long believed that Washington State's Good To Go! needs to be made interoperable with California's FasTrak. Then, if Oregon ever moves forward with building HOT lanes in Portland like they've been talking about off and on for a while now, whatever pass they create for those should be interoperable with CA and WA, and then we have a new "Pacific Coast Interoperability Hub". I'm of the opinion that when and if we try to get nationwide interoperability, having groups of agencies partnering together as a "Hub" will be easier to merge/manage than trying to have tons of different individual agencies. Along those lines, as I noted previously, MnPass really should join the Central Interoperability Hub with K-Tag, PikePass, and TxTag.

[Ned Weasel]

If Minnesota gets E-ZPass, Kansas ought to be outraged.  Both are two states away from the nearest E-ZPass state (Illinois).

Why would that make Kansas outraged?

Minnesota getting E-ZPass before Kansas.  Doesn't seem right.

[kphoger]

Minnesota getting E-ZPass before Kansas.  Doesn't seem right.

I can't imagine it matters to a whole lot of Kansans, considering (I think) the nearest EZPass toll gantry is more than 400 miles outside of Kansas.

[hbelkins]

Minnesota has toll roads?

[1995hoo]

....

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).

....

Thanks for that reminder. I forgot about those bridges, and there's also the Sanibel Causeway as a third toll facility around there. That all matters to me because we have relatives in Fort Myers we try to visit each year.

[ilpt4u]

Minnesota has toll roads?

HOT lanes in the Twin Cities area, if memory serves. Only driven thru the Twin Cities once

[kphoger]

Minnesota has toll roads?

HOT lanes in the Twin Cities area, if memory serves. Only driven thru the Twin Cities once

Yep.

I've driven on it a few times, but I always have multiple people in the vehicle whenever I'm in Minnesota, so I've always been allowed in the HO/T lanes for free.

[webny99]

If Minnesota gets E-ZPass, Kansas ought to be outraged.  Both are two states away from the nearest E-ZPass state (Illinois).

Why would that make Kansas outraged?

I think the fact that people have to ask if Minnesota has toll roads (as HB just did) is, itself, the answer to your question. Everyone knows Kansas has the Turnpike. Minnesota doesn't have any long-distance toll roads that would be an immediate / obvious reason to get EZPass.

[kphoger]

If Minnesota gets E-ZPass, Kansas ought to be outraged.  Both are two states away from the nearest E-ZPass state (Illinois).

Why would that make Kansas outraged?

I think the fact that people have to ask if Minnesota has toll roads (as HB just did) is, itself, the answer to your question. Everyone knows Kansas has the Turnpike. Minnesota doesn't have any long-distance toll roads that would be an immediate / obvious reason to get EZPass.

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.

Based on my own observations, I'd say the number of Illinois-tagged cars in MnPASS territory far outweighs the number of Illiniois-tagged cars in KTA territory.

[vdeane]

To be blunt, South Carolina needs to get its act together. The Hilton Head Cross Island Parkway toll will be going away in a few years since the bridge is almost paid off, but the Greenville Southern Connector reportedly won't be paid off until 2040 or 2050 or something like that. Therefore, SC PalmettoPass really needs to be made interoperable at least with QuickPass, PeachPass, and SunPass, and preferably with E-ZPass too since QuickPass is part of E-ZPass and the other two will soon be part of E-ZPass.

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).

As for other issues with interoperability or lack thereof, I have long believed that Washington State's Good To Go! needs to be made interoperable with California's FasTrak. Then, if Oregon ever moves forward with building HOT lanes in Portland like they've been talking about off and on for a while now, whatever pass they create for those should be interoperable with CA and WA, and then we have a new "Pacific Coast Interoperability Hub". I'm of the opinion that when and if we try to get nationwide interoperability, having groups of agencies partnering together as a "Hub" will be easier to merge/manage than trying to have tons of different individual agencies. Along those lines, as I noted previously, MnPass really should join the Central Interoperability Hub with K-Tag, PikePass, and TxTag.

I don't recall anything about HOT lanes in Portland; I do recall the plans to toll all vehicles on I-5 and I-205 around Portland, however.

[jbnv]

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

[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)

[Jim]

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

Here's what New York says about it:

https://www.e-zpassny.com/en/about/facilities.shtml