USA Toll Transponder Interoperability - 2025 edition

[kphoger]

Reminds me of my recent-ish crossing at San Ysidro.  Didn't take my car, so walked into their office, poorly communicated to the Mexican officer, much to his consternation, but got through eventually...

Walking across at San Ysidro?  I'm surprised anybody even bothered stopping you to ask any questions.

[Brandon]

Here's an interesting case.

I drove north across the Lincoln Bridge in Louisville on November 16.  I have both an I-Pass and a SunPass Mini on the windshield.  Got the SunPass Mini back before Florida took E-Z Pass transponders.  Now, according to the SunPass map, Kentucky is supposed to be SunPass PRO only; however, the toll was charged to my SunPass account and not my I-Pass account.  Not sure exactly why, but it appears RiverLink is accepting SunPass Mini stickers now.

[vdeane]

Here's an interesting case.

I drove north across the Lincoln Bridge in Louisville on November 16.  I have both an I-Pass and a SunPass Mini on the windshield.  Got the SunPass Mini back before Florida took E-Z Pass transponders.  Now, according to the SunPass map, Kentucky is supposed to be SunPass PRO only; however, the toll was charged to my SunPass account and not my I-Pass account.  Not sure exactly why, but it appears RiverLink is accepting SunPass Mini stickers now.

Considering that I-Pass has switched to exclusive stickers recently, I wouldn't be surprised if SunPass is a little out of date on where they say is PRO only.

[I-55]

Here's an interesting case.

I drove north across the Lincoln Bridge in Louisville on November 16.  I have both an I-Pass and a SunPass Mini on the windshield.  Got the SunPass Mini back before Florida took E-Z Pass transponders.  Now, according to the SunPass map, Kentucky is supposed to be SunPass PRO only; however, the toll was charged to my SunPass account and not my I-Pass account.  Not sure exactly why, but it appears RiverLink is accepting SunPass Mini stickers now.

Considering that I-Pass has switched to exclusive stickers recently, I wouldn't be surprised if SunPass is a little out of date on where they say is PRO only.

I had the same thing happen last year with SunPass. The SunPass mini was only showing as interoperable in states that issued sticker transponders, likely due to the inability of older readers to pick up sticker tags (which was basically everything outside the pre-2020 E-ZPass network).

Now that the traditional E-ZPass states have upgraded multi-protocol readers (and by extension IL issuing stickers that have worked for me in 5 states so far) I would think the mini should be operable in E-ZPass territory. One note on my experience with SunPass mini is that the places I used it were either built for sticker transponders (ORB/RiverLink) or received new readers (WV Turnpike between 2022-24).

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=34475.msg2960193#msg2960193

Ended up closing my account in favor of I-Pass shortly after this trip for reasons explained in my original comment. My customer service gripes and the inaccurate interoperability page are probably related issues with FL being behind the curve on the technical side (FL's app sucks, IL's is amazing). I would recommend keeping I-Pass for this reason unless you plan to travel on toll roads in KS, OK, or TX.

[vdeane]

Ended up closing my account in favor of I-Pass shortly after this trip for reasons explained in my original comment. My customer service gripes and the inaccurate interoperability page are probably related issues with FL being behind the curve on the technical side (FL's app sucks, IL's is amazing). I would recommend keeping I-Pass for this reason unless you plan to travel on toll roads in KS, OK, or TX.

And, as noted upthread, Florida's interoperability with that zone is spotty.  They clearly aren't a full-fledged member of that group.

[Joe The Dragon]

Ended up closing my account in favor of I-Pass shortly after this trip for reasons explained in my original comment. My customer service gripes and the inaccurate interoperability page are probably related issues with FL being behind the curve on the technical side (FL's app sucks, IL's is amazing). I would recommend keeping I-Pass for this reason unless you plan to travel on toll roads in KS, OK, or TX.

And, as noted upthread, Florida's interoperability with that zone is spotty.  They clearly aren't a full-fledged member of that group.

and should drivers be on the hook for big fines? Should the toll roads be forced to have signs with 5-6 differnt logos?

[Rothman]

Ended up closing my account in favor of I-Pass shortly after this trip for reasons explained in my original comment. My customer service gripes and the inaccurate interoperability page are probably related issues with FL being behind the curve on the technical side (FL's app sucks, IL's is amazing). I would recommend keeping I-Pass for this reason unless you plan to travel on toll roads in KS, OK, or TX.

And, as noted upthread, Florida's interoperability with that zone is spotty.  They clearly aren't a full-fledged member of that group.

and should drivers be on the hook for big fines? Should the toll roads be forced to have signs with 5-6 differnt logos?

Some have more than that signed now...

[vdeane]

Ended up closing my account in favor of I-Pass shortly after this trip for reasons explained in my original comment. My customer service gripes and the inaccurate interoperability page are probably related issues with FL being behind the curve on the technical side (FL's app sucks, IL's is amazing). I would recommend keeping I-Pass for this reason unless you plan to travel on toll roads in KS, OK, or TX.

And, as noted upthread, Florida's interoperability with that zone is spotty.  They clearly aren't a full-fledged member of that group.

and should drivers be on the hook for big fines? Should the toll roads be forced to have signs with 5-6 differnt logos?

Ideally, everyone would comply with MAP-21 and it would be a moot point.  Failing that, each state should consolidate down to one transponder.  No more Florida and Texas having 10 different ones.  Florida can consolidate down to SunPass.  MDOT can join E-ZPass and tell the international bridges and Mackinac Bridge to get with the program (like happened around Niagara Falls).  Texas can consolidate down to whatever works best for them (TollTag?  TxTag?).  And when becoming interoperable with a member of a group, join the group.  Don't do it piecemeal.  That would go a long way to reducing the complexity of all this even if full national interoperability is still a ways away.

[Molandfreak]

In case it hasn't already been mentioned (and further complicating the situation in Michigan), the Ambassador Bridge accepts E-ZPass.

[Molandfreak]

Further information that should be included in the original post, but probably not in the table since it's reaching beyond the scope that the OP intends to cover: the IQ tag covering the Sault Ste Marie bridge and the two ( ) toll systems covering the Blue Water Bridge are interoperable if you connect each account, similar to the situation in Canada east of Québec.

The fact that the Mackinac Bridge Authority can't even get with this program is absolutely ridiculous.

https://bluewaterbridge.us/login
https://www.saultbridge.com/faq/

[hwyfan]

In case it hasn't already been mentioned (and further complicating the situation in Michigan), the Ambassador Bridge accepts E-ZPass.

The Ambassador Bridge does not yet accept E-ZPass.  Rather their website speculates that they might accept it in 2026, an update after promising early 2025 previously.   

Nor are they yet identified as members of the E-ZPass Interagency Group. 

[Molandfreak]

Neither the Bluewater Bridge nor Mackinac Bridge administrators want to pay the significant upfront or sustained membership costs associated with joining E-ZPass.   

Did I mention E-ZPass in the post? That isn't the point. It makes zero sense to have an interoperability system that allows you to connect the accounts of the two bridges surrounding the Mac, but not the Mac itself. Essentially, you still must either have two different transponders on your windshield or go around the Ontario side of Lake Huron on a regular basis to receive any benefit from this arrangement.

[ElishaGOtis]

Further information that should be included in the original post, but probably not in the table since it's reaching beyond the scope that the OP intends to cover: the IQ tag covering the Sault Ste Marie bridge and the two ( ) toll systems covering the Blue Water Bridge are interoperable if you connect each account, similar to the situation in Canada east of Québec.

The fact that the Mackinac Bridge Authority can't even get with this program is absolutely ridiculous.

https://bluewaterbridge.us/login
https://www.saultbridge.com/faq/

Neither the Bluewater Bridge nor Mackinac Bridge administrators want to pay the significant upfront or sustained membership costs associated with joining E-ZPass.   

What is said cost? I didn't even know there was one tbh...

[vdeane]

Further information that should be included in the original post, but probably not in the table since it's reaching beyond the scope that the OP intends to cover: the IQ tag covering the Sault Ste Marie bridge and the two ( ) toll systems covering the Blue Water Bridge are interoperable if you connect each account, similar to the situation in Canada east of Québec.

The fact that the Mackinac Bridge Authority can't even get with this program is absolutely ridiculous.

https://bluewaterbridge.us/login
https://www.saultbridge.com/faq/

Neither the Bluewater Bridge nor Mackinac Bridge administrators want to pay the significant upfront or sustained membership costs associated with joining E-ZPass.   

What is said cost? I didn't even know there was one tbh...

That is an interesting question.  I wonder if it's the same costs that are cited as the justification for transponder discrimination.

[Molandfreak]

Neither the Bluewater Bridge nor Mackinac Bridge administrators want to pay the significant upfront or sustained membership costs associated with joining E-ZPass. 

Did I mention E-ZPass in the post? That isn't the point. It makes zero sense to have an interoperability system that allows you to connect the accounts of the two bridges surrounding the Mac, but not the Mac itself. Essentially, you still must either have two different transponders on your windshield or go around the Ontario side of Lake Huron on a regular basis to receive any benefit from this arrangement.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority entered into an arrangement whereby they obtain their MacPass sticker tags via Michigan DOT.

It is possible to utilize a single Edge Pass (or Canadian Connexion /iQ tag) at both the Sault Ste Marie and Blue Water Bridge.  However, the motorist must set up seperate toll accounts for the second crossing.

This is similar to the interoperability requirements that existed in Nova Scotia up until recently.

There, a motorist could use the Confederation Bridge Straitpass, the Highway 104 Cobequid Pass or Halifax-Dartmouth bridges MacPass at the other facilities provided they establish seperate accounts at the other facilities and tie their tag number to it. 

One factor that might be keeping the three Michigan agencies from "one tag, one account, three bridges" from coming to fruition is the additional back office operations that would have to commence and continue at all three agencies to facilitate validation of transactions at the "other" facilities. 

I already said literally all of this, minus the last paragraph, in fewer words. So what was the point of this post? It is 100% evil that the MBA can't get their act together to allow folks to connect an account to these other tags.

Please pay attention to previous quotes, especially from the people you're replying to. You aren't saying anything that I haven't already indicated I know.

Further information that should be included in the original post, but probably not in the table since it's reaching beyond the scope that the OP intends to cover: the IQ tag covering the Sault Ste Marie bridge and the two ( ) toll systems covering the Blue Water Bridge are interoperable if you connect each account, similar to the situation in Canada east of Québec.

[hwyfan]

Neither the Bluewater Bridge nor Mackinac Bridge administrators want to pay the significant upfront or sustained membership costs associated with joining E-ZPass. 

Did I mention E-ZPass in the post? That isn't the point. It makes zero sense to have an interoperability system that allows you to connect the accounts of the two bridges surrounding the Mac, but not the Mac itself. Essentially, you still must either have two different transponders on your windshield or go around the Ontario side of Lake Huron on a regular basis to receive any benefit from this arrangement.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority entered into an arrangement whereby they obtain their MacPass sticker tags via Michigan DOT.

It is possible to utilize a single Edge Pass (or Canadian Connexion /iQ tag) at both the Sault Ste Marie and Blue Water Bridge.  However, the motorist must set up seperate toll accounts for the second crossing.

This is similar to the interoperability requirements that existed in Nova Scotia up until recently.

There, a motorist could use the Confederation Bridge Straitpass, the Highway 104 Cobequid Pass or Halifax-Dartmouth bridges MacPass at the other facilities provided they establish seperate accounts at the other facilities and tie their tag number to it. 

One factor that might be keeping the three Michigan agencies from "one tag, one account, three bridges" from coming to fruition is the additional back office operations that would have to commence and continue at all three agencies to facilitate validation of transactions at the "other" facilities. 

I already said literally all of this, minus the last paragraph, in fewer words. So what was the point of this post? It is 100% evil that the MBA can't get their act together to allow folks to connect an account to these other tags.

Please pay attention to previous quotes, especially from the people you're replying to. You aren't saying anything that I haven't already indicated I know.

Further information that should be included in the original post, but probably not in the table since it's reaching beyond the scope that the OP intends to cover: the IQ tag covering the Sault Ste Marie bridge and the two ( ) toll systems covering the Blue Water Bridge are interoperable if you connect each account, similar to the situation in Canada east of Québec.

I will make sure to vet my future posts more carefully against the earlier posts in the thread.   

[Thing 342]

Further information that should be included in the original post, but probably not in the table since it's reaching beyond the scope that the OP intends to cover: the IQ tag covering the Sault Ste Marie bridge and the two ( ) toll systems covering the Blue Water Bridge are interoperable if you connect each account, similar to the situation in Canada east of Québec.

The fact that the Mackinac Bridge Authority can't even get with this program is absolutely ridiculous.

https://bluewaterbridge.us/login
https://www.saultbridge.com/faq/

Neither the Bluewater Bridge nor Mackinac Bridge administrators want to pay the significant upfront or sustained membership costs associated with joining E-ZPass.   

What is said cost? I didn't even know there was one tbh...

To participate in the EZ-Pass network the tolling agency needs to be able to send transactions made by out-of-region drivers to their home agencies, and vice-versa. Adapting their billing systems to use the standardized format is a non-trivial task and there's a good chance that it requires an overhaul to their software systems. The costs of modernizing these systems from the original early-2000s tech can be extremely high, in addition to whatever new equipment needs to be installed to support the 3 protocols supported by EZ-Pass.

[kphoger]

The Ambassador Bridge does not yet accept E-ZPass.  Rather their website speculates that they might accept it in 2026, an update after promising early 2025 previously.

In Mexico, CAPUFE toll booths are beginning a gradual phase-out of all cash toll booths, and they already don't take plastic.  This means that, eventually, all CAPUFE toll roads will be tag-only.

My big question, that I've been unable to find the answer to, is this:  Considering that the bridge tolls at the US border are CAPUFE facilities, does that mean that all traffic crossing the border over the Rio Grande will have to have a Mexican toll tag?  That seems rather disruptive.

[vdeane]

My big question, that I've been unable to find the answer to, is this:  Considering that the bridge tolls at the US border are CAPUFE facilities, does that mean that all traffic crossing the border over the Rio Grande will have to have a Mexican toll tag?  That seems rather disruptive.

Might they make an exception for the international bridges?  Also, does Mexico do bill by mail for non-transponder users like we do in the US (although IMO not giving people the choice on route that doesn't require bill by mail, especially given that many facilities can be unreliable about such, isn't cool)?  On the Canadian border, I'm not aware of any toll facilities that are all-electronic except maybe the Whirlpool Bridge (which requires NEXUS and IIRC has some deal to tie toll funds to the NEXUS card).

[kphoger]

Might they make an exception for the international bridges?

That is precisely the question I'm wondering the answer to.  Nothing I've read has suggested so, but that doesn't mean it isn't true.

Also, does Mexico do bill by mail for non-transponder users like we do in the US

Not that I'm aware of.  Of course, Mexican drivers can easily drive ORT facilities in the USA without ever paying tolls, because the US-based toll agencies have no way of billing them in Mexico.  I have many questions...

[Joe The Dragon]

The Ambassador Bridge does not yet accept E-ZPass.  Rather their website speculates that they might accept it in 2026, an update after promising early 2025 previously.

In Mexico, CAPUFE toll booths are beginning a gradual phase-out of all cash toll booths, and they already don't take plastic.  This means that, eventually, all CAPUFE toll roads will be tag-only.

My big question, that I've been unable to find the answer to, is this:  Considering that the bridge tolls at the US border are CAPUFE facilities, does that mean that all traffic crossing the border over the Rio Grande will have to have a Mexican toll tag?  That seems rather disruptive.

some pics show high speed tolling. Now when will IN tollway and the skyway have gate free high speed lanes?

[Great Lakes Roads]

Just saw a short video from the Maine Turnpike, and they are now issuing E-ZPass "sticker tags"! Which begs me to question: other than Illinois, are there any other states within the E-ZPass hub that are now issuing sticker tags?

[I-55]

Just saw a short video from the Maine Turnpike, and they are now issuing E-ZPass "sticker tags"! Which begs me to question: other than Illinois, are there any other states within the E-ZPass hub that are now issuing sticker tags?

If we're counting RiverLink's local transponder then yes, otherwise I think these are the only ones.

[ElishaGOtis]

Just saw a short video from the Maine Turnpike, and they are now issuing E-ZPass "sticker tags"! Which begs me to question: other than Illinois, are there any other states within the E-ZPass hub that are now issuing sticker tags?

If we're counting RiverLink's local transponder then yes, otherwise I think these are the only ones.

PeachPass and NC QuickPass stickers now work across the network...

[I-55]

Just saw a short video from the Maine Turnpike, and they are now issuing E-ZPass "sticker tags"! Which begs me to question: other than Illinois, are there any other states within the E-ZPass hub that are now issuing sticker tags?

If we're counting RiverLink's local transponder then yes, otherwise I think these are the only ones.

PeachPass and NC QuickPass stickers now work across the network...

They indeed do, though I considered them as part of the Southeast hub (and their stickers pre-date their joining the E-ZPass network). None of the other traditional E-ZPass states have moved to stickers AFAIK.