USA Toll Transponder Interoperability - 2025 edition

[doorknob60]

The rental car companies and PlatePass are going to fight this because of the revenue loss, but someone will have to come up with a way to share a personal transponder account with a rental vehicle if the hard case transponders are going away.

The Visitor Toll Pass in Orlando (a hangtag) works perfectly but CFX is the only agency I know of that offers anything like this.  It should be a no-brainer for PANJNY to offer this at its airports, even for a fee.

Agree. I have a CFX E-Pass Uni which is a portable hard case transponder with suction cups. I bring it on all my east coast trips in rental cars, works great. I don't like that I can't easily do that in Texas or California. And it would be really awful if that option goes away in the future for EZ-Pass compatible transponders, as that's where it's definitely most useful for me.

I think Oklahoma still offers a portable option that works across OK, TX, KS, and more, but at this point I'm hoping E-Pass gets support for Texas tolls soon like SunPass Pro already has. Not sure it's worth buying another transponder, doing the math on buying a $25 Pikepass + the pretty high $40 minimum amount, vs paying rental car fees for a couple days of tolls (not doing any longer toll road drives, just local/suburban trips). But at this point since it still hasn't happened, who knows if or when E-Pass will. Or I could just buy a SunPass, but that feels silly when I already have an E-Pass.

[Molandfreak]

The rental car companies and PlatePass are going to fight this because of the revenue loss, but someone will have to come up with a way to share a personal transponder account with a rental vehicle if the hard case transponders are going away.

The Visitor Toll Pass in Orlando (a hangtag) works perfectly but CFX is the only agency I know of that offers anything like this.  It should be a no-brainer for PANJNY to offer this at its airports, even for a fee.

Agree. I have a CFX E-Pass Uni which is a portable hard case transponder with suction cups. I bring it on all my east coast trips in rental cars, works great. I don't like that I can't easily do that in Texas or California. And it would be really awful if that option goes away in the future for EZ-Pass compatible transponders, as that's where it's definitely most useful for me.

I think Oklahoma still offers a portable option that works across OK, TX, KS, and more, but at this point I'm hoping E-Pass gets support for Texas tolls soon like SunPass Pro already has. Not sure it's worth buying another transponder, doing the math on buying a $25 Pikepass + the pretty high $40 minimum amount, vs paying rental car fees for a couple days of tolls (not doing any longer toll road drives, just local/suburban trips). But at this point since it still hasn't happened, who knows if or when E-Pass will. Or I could just buy a SunPass, but that feels silly when I already have an E-Pass.

Not to mention Colorado's switchable case, which makes it the most versatile among the central hub transponders since it also works on the Northwest Parkway.

[Brandon]

The rental car companies and PlatePass are going to fight this because of the revenue loss, but someone will have to come up with a way to share a personal transponder account with a rental vehicle if the hard case transponders are going away.

The Visitor Toll Pass in Orlando (a hangtag) works perfectly but CFX is the only agency I know of that offers anything like this.  It should be a no-brainer for PANJNY to offer this at its airports, even for a fee.

ISHTA allows you to add a rental car, and the stickers cost nothing to add to an account.  They're free if you get them at an I-Pass service center or get it by mail.  If getting it at Jewel-Osco or Road Ranger, than it's a small fee ($2.90, IIRC) payable to Jewel or Road Ranger.  Essentially, I can bring a sticker with me, put it in the rental and add the car to my account, and then remove it when I'm done.

[kalvado]

The rental car companies and PlatePass are going to fight this because of the revenue loss, but someone will have to come up with a way to share a personal transponder account with a rental vehicle if the hard case transponders are going away.

The Visitor Toll Pass in Orlando (a hangtag) works perfectly but CFX is the only agency I know of that offers anything like this.  It should be a no-brainer for PANJNY to offer this at its airports, even for a fee.

ISHTA allows you to add a rental car, and the stickers cost nothing to add to an account.  They're free if you get them at an I-Pass service center or get it by mail.  If getting it at Jewel-Osco or Road Ranger, than it's a small fee ($2.90, IIRC) payable to Jewel or Road Ranger.  Essentially, I can bring a sticker with me, put it in the rental and add the car to my account, and then remove it when I'm done.

And what if the rental already has a sticker?

[hwyfan]

Maybe it will be the Mackinac Bridge - you know, so that bridge can be interoperable with the Oklahoma Turnpikes but not the two international bridges that it sits between (and which are interoperable with each other).

The Mackinac Bridge MacPass isn't even compatible with the Michigan DOT issued Edge Pass, used at the Bluewater and Sault Ste. Marie international bridges.  It is ironic as the Mackinac Bridge Authority recently voted to have their MacPass tags purchased thru the existing Michigan DOT contract for Edge Pass. 

[Brandon]

The rental car companies and PlatePass are going to fight this because of the revenue loss, but someone will have to come up with a way to share a personal transponder account with a rental vehicle if the hard case transponders are going away.

The Visitor Toll Pass in Orlando (a hangtag) works perfectly but CFX is the only agency I know of that offers anything like this.  It should be a no-brainer for PANJNY to offer this at its airports, even for a fee.

ISHTA allows you to add a rental car, and the stickers cost nothing to add to an account.  They're free if you get them at an I-Pass service center or get it by mail.  If getting it at Jewel-Osco or Road Ranger, than it's a small fee ($2.90, IIRC) payable to Jewel or Road Ranger.  Essentially, I can bring a sticker with me, put it in the rental and add the car to my account, and then remove it when I'm done.

And what if the rental already has a sticker?

Around here, they usually don't.  There's some sort of National Pass type transponder that's in the glovebox and costs a shitload to use.

[ElishaGOtis]

Maybe it will be the Mackinac Bridge - you know, so that bridge can be interoperable with the Oklahoma Turnpikes but not the two international bridges that it sits between (and which are interoperable with each other).

The Mackinac Bridge MacPass isn't even compatible with the Michigan DOT issued Edge Pass, used at the Bluewater and Sault Ste. Marie international bridges.  It is ironic as the Mackinac Bridge Authority recently voted to have their MacPass tags purchased thru the existing Michigan DOT contract for Edge Pass. 

Given that they're sold under the same contract, is it possible that it could be a liability for MDOT regarding compliance with MAP 21? Granted, I've never heard of a lawsuit regarding this (nor have i ever heard of any enforcement action anyway), but I'm still curious...

[Molandfreak]

Maybe it will be the Mackinac Bridge - you know, so that bridge can be interoperable with the Oklahoma Turnpikes but not the two international bridges that it sits between (and which are interoperable with each other).

The Mackinac Bridge MacPass isn't even compatible with the Michigan DOT issued Edge Pass, used at the Bluewater and Sault Ste. Marie international bridges.  It is ironic as the Mackinac Bridge Authority recently voted to have their MacPass tags purchased thru the existing Michigan DOT contract for Edge Pass. 

Given that they're sold under the same contract, is it possible that it could be a liability for MDOT regarding compliance with MAP 21? Granted, I've never heard of a lawsuit regarding this (nor have i ever heard of any enforcement action anyway), but I'm still curious...

I wish someone at MDOT would grow a pair and tell the MBA "no, fuck you, join the interoperable network with the two bridges surrounding you or find another way to sell MacPasses." They have control over the situation, too.

[fwydriver405]

Just saw a short video from the Maine Turnpike, and they are now issuing E-ZPass "sticker tags"!

The aforementioned video:

Wonder if the Maine Turnpike will continue to sell the hardcase tag ($10.55) and/or the license plate tags ($17.94) with the introduction of the sticker transponder, especially with people who hold multiple transponders for multiple agencies since the stickers cannot be removed once applied w/o destroying it.

The sticker transponders can be removed from windshields provided you attach their backing to a plastic laminate sheet like StickerShield.  You affix the opposite adhesive side of the StickerShield to the interior windshield.  It can be carefully lifted off without bending the transponder.

I have my Palmetto Pass, KTag, Quickpass and GoodtoGo Pass all on StickerShield. 

There's nothing on official sites about the alleged Maine stickers

Now official as of today, March 09, 2026 - Maine will start to roll out the sticker based E-ZPass transponder around the spring season.

Interesting how in this press release it suggests that "sticker tags will be available for purchase", which suggests that there may be still a cost to obtain a sticker transponder, in contrast to other agencies like MassDOT and the Transportation Corridor Agency (The Toll Roads, Orange County, CA) where new and additional sticker transponders (at least through the home agency) are free to accountholders.

https://www.maineturnpike.com/news/recent-news/mta-confirms-plans-to-roll-out-e%E2%80%91zpass-sticker-tags

MTA Confirms Plans to Roll Out E‑ZPass Sticker Tags

New windshield sticker tags comming soon to the Maine Turnpike Authority

The Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) will soon offer sticker tags as a new option for Maine E‑ZPass customers. This initiative has been in development for several months and is planned to launch at the start of the summer travel season.

Sticker tags are a low‑profile, modern alternative to traditional hard‑case transponders. They adhere directly to a windshield and provide the same seamless tolling experience at all E‑ZPass locations. Customers who prefer to keep using hard‑case transponders may continue to do so.

Sticker tags will offer several benefits:
• Lower cost than traditional hard‑case transponders
• Reduced plastic use and no internal battery
• Enhanced security — the tag disables automatically if removed
• Smaller, less visible design

At launch, sticker tags will be available for purchase at the MTA Customer Walk‑In Center in Portland.
More details — including the official launch date — will be announced later this spring on the MTA website.

For launch updates, contact the MTA Communications Office and be added to the notification announcement by emailing cfarrell@maineturnpike.com

[Great Lakes Roads]

I just found out that the Gordie Howe Bridge tolling system will NOT be interoperable with any tolling system! 

[Rothman]

I just found out that the Gordie Howe Bridge tolling system will NOT be interoperable with any tolling system! 

From whom?

[ElishaGOtis]

I just found out that the Gordie Howe Bridge tolling system will NOT be interoperable with any tolling system! 

Wait I thought this news came out a few months ago?

[Great Lakes Roads]

I just found out that the Gordie Howe Bridge tolling system will NOT be interoperable with any tolling system! 

From whom?

[Rothman]

I just found out that the Gordie Howe Bridge tolling system will NOT be interoperable with any tolling system! 

From whom?

How asinine, especially with the cooperative efforts througb NITTEC in Buffalo/Niagara...why is the MI area so less cooperative?

[vdeane]

How asinine, especially with the cooperative efforts througb NITTEC in Buffalo/Niagara...why is the MI area so less cooperative?

Maybe they're just as hostile to E-ZPass as some forum users from the state seem to be?  Of the two toll authorities that take E-ZPass (or plan to - not sure the current status of the Ambassador), one is a subsidiary of a private company based in Colorado and whose offices that aren't in CO or MI are all in E-ZPass states, and the other is a private bridge that's looking for a way to stay relevant to long-distance traffic after the Gordie Howe opens.

[Molandfreak]

How asinine, especially with the cooperative efforts througb NITTEC in Buffalo/Niagara...why is the MI area so less cooperative?

Maybe they're just as hostile to E-ZPass as some forum users from the state seem to be?  Of the two toll authorities that take E-ZPass (or plan to - not sure the current status of the Ambassador), one is a subsidiary of a private company based in Colorado and whose offices that aren't in CO or MI are all in E-ZPass states, and the other is a private bridge that's looking for a way to stay relevant to long-distance traffic after the Gordie Howe opens.

It doesn't seem to be that way, any attempt to question their choices on the enforcement of interoperability in Michigan leads to a response like "the issuing agency says it is cost prohibitive at the moment, but never say never." Which is bullshit because MDOT themselves have not indicated any interest in pestering these organizations to do better. Even if they were only able to expand the model set out by the Bluewater and Sault bridges where users technically have separate accounts with options to connect them, that would still be a better situation than the status quo.

[hwyfan]

I just found out that the Gordie Howe Bridge tolling system will NOT be interoperable with any tolling system! 

From whom?

The tolling privacy policy for the Gordie Howe International Bridge is visible on the backend side of their website. 

In it they mention Breakaway Pass as their transponder system.  I confirmed via Facebook messenger a few months ago with the Gordie Howe International Bridge that the crossing was not presently going to join E-ZPass. 

[vdeane]

I know Congress has started work on the next federal transportation bill - the BASICS Act.  I wonder if now would be a good time to pester representatives about dealing with things like interoperability and transponder discrimination.

[Joe The Dragon]

I know Congress has started work on the next federal transportation bill - the BASICS Act.  I wonder if now would be a good time to pester representatives about dealing with things like interoperability and transponder discrimination.

and get rid of the gates on skyway / IN toll road.

[Molandfreak]

I know Congress has started work on the next federal transportation bill - the BASICS Act.  I wonder if now would be a good time to pester representatives about dealing with things like interoperability and transponder discrimination.

Just emailed my congresswoman asking for provisions such as hefty penalties for establishing a transponder system incompatible with anything else. I'm not sure how much weight my letter will hold given that I'm from an E-ZPass state, but I did mention the frustration with Michigan's complete lack of care about the manner and California's bill failing to pass which would have allowed for two-way interoperability.

[NJRoadfan]

If we can ever get the entire country on interoperable toll systems, I could see auto manufacturers or vehicle dealers automatically designing in pre-built toll devices or they would be required to apply and register a toll sticker before every vehicle sale so every new vehicle already has one.

This already exists and is available in Mercedes Benz and Audi vehicles. https://onboarding.payviam.com/#/activate/itm/welcome

You can select the HOV lane status directly from the infotainment screen. The downside is that its expensive to use (has an annual fee) and not eligible for discounts in various E-ZPass states.

[NJRoadfan]

NJ is testing E-ZPass sticker tags: https://www.nj.com/news/2026/03/nj-is-testing-e-zpass-stickers-and-drivers-have-one-big-question-about-them.html

[Radem]

Massachusetts and Road Island replacing toll boxes with toll stickers:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOEVAd-faz8

[kphoger]

Just found this picture online... 

[Great Lakes Roads]

From the April 7th OTA meeting:

SUBJECT: Information Technology Division
DATE: April 7, 2026
Agreement Regarding Interoperability Of Toll Systems entered into by & Between CUSIOP and EZIOP Entities

Submitted for consideration and approval of the Authority is a request to authorize the Director to negotiate and execute an Agreement regarding Interoperability of Toll Systems on behalf of the OTA as a member of the Central US Interoperability Agreement dated March 7, 2017 and the EZIOP Entities (entities that own or operate toll facilities and are parties to the E-ZPass Interagency Group Second Amended and Restated Operations Agreement dated October 14, 2021). The Agreement will serve as the underlying agreement to achieve interoperability between these parties' respective electronic toll collection systems.

Staff has reviewed the above item and recommends for approval.

Central hub region joining the E-ZPass group? I like what I'm hearing!