USA Toll Transponder Interoperability - 2025 edition

[ElishaGOtis]

...

SunPass Pro     

The only places it doesn't work are:
...
- The DFW Airport Toll Road thingy (currently TollTag only, no other central hub connection)
...

Probably missing a couple others as well. I do believe the HCTRA confusion has since resolved.

...

DFW Expressway takes a K-TAG/PikePass just fine. (Took mine, but gave it back )

Can confirm that SunPass PRO doesn't work on that roadway (tested it out the other day... totally worth $9  ...not)

[SSOWorld]

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!

link the source please.

[edwaleni]

Enterprise wanted $17/day for toll privs out of O'Hare. SunPass Pro is only $14.

I got the updated transponder today, it will be interesting to see how well it will pick up on ISTHA.

Their toll rates just went up (again) to support the RTA replacement funding.

[I-55]

link the source please.

Found the meeting minutes.

https://okturnpike.com/pdf/Agenda%20for%204-7-26%20OTA%20Authority%20Agenda.pdf

Item 1376

[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!

E-ZPass hub will be joining the Central hub region in phases.
PHASE 1 (Summer 2026)- IL, IN (ITR and Cline), MD, NC, OH, PA (PTC), UBP (MI and VA)
FUTURE PHASES- DE, FL (CFX), GA, KY, ME, MA, MN, NH, NY, RI, WV

E-ZPass will be accepted in OK, KS, CO (E-470 Public Highway authority), and TX (NTTA and Central Texas Regional Mobility Hub)
*HCTRA and NW Parkway will be accepted at a later date

Timestamp- 26:42

[Molandfreak]

UBP (MI and VA)

Say what now?!

[ElishaGOtis]

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!

E-ZPass hub will be joining the Central hub region in phases.
PHASE 1 (Summer 2026)- IL, IN (ITR and Cline), MD, NC, OH, PA (PTC), UBP (MI and VA)
FUTURE PHASES- DE, FL (CFX), GA, KY, ME, MA, MN, NH, NY, RI, WV

E-ZPass will be accepted in OK, KS, CO (E-470 Public Highway authority), and TX (NTTA and Central Texas Regional Mobility Hub)
*HCTRA and NW Parkway will be accepted at a later date

Timestamp- 26:42

[vdeane]

E-ZPass hub will be joining the Central hub region in phases.
PHASE 1 (Summer 2026)- IL, IN (ITR and Cline), MD, NC, OH, PA (PTC), UBP (MI and VA)
FUTURE PHASES- DE, FL (CFX), GA, KY, ME, MA, MN, NH, NY, RI, WV

E-ZPass will be accepted in OK, KS, CO (E-470 Public Highway authority), and TX (NTTA and Central Texas Regional Mobility Hub)
*HCTRA and NW Parkway will be accepted at a later date

Timestamp- 26:42

WTF?  Wouldn't it be easier to just make an interoperablity deal with the IAG?  Why are they doing this piecemeal?  I have never heard of such a thing beyond the technical limitations on sticker tags back when most E-ZPass states lacked the ability to read anything other than a hard case transponder (which is no longer the case).

UBP (MI and VA)

Say what now?!

Presumably the operators of the Bay City bridges.

[Great Lakes Roads]

WTF?  Wouldn't it be easier to just make an interoperablity deal with the IAG?  Why are they doing this piecemeal?  I have never heard of such a thing beyond the technical limitations on sticker tags back when most E-ZPass states lacked the ability to read anything other than a hard case transponder (which is no longer the case).

They did this approach with accepting E-ZPass in another state (GA)... so, this will NOT be the first time that I've seen E-ZPass getting accepted in a piecemeal approach.

[vdeane]

WTF?  Wouldn't it be easier to just make an interoperablity deal with the IAG?  Why are they doing this piecemeal?  I have never heard of such a thing beyond the technical limitations on sticker tags back when most E-ZPass states lacked the ability to read anything other than a hard case transponder (which is no longer the case).

They did this approach with accepting E-ZPass in another state (GA)... so, this will NOT be the first time that I've seen E-ZPass getting accepted in a piecemeal approach.

I don't recall that happening.  I do, however, recall temporary limitations with sticker transponders because the E-ZPass agencies couldn't read them, but that no longer applies (heck, many of them issue stickers now!).  Recall that there used to be a Southeast hub similar to the Central hub before Florida and Georgia joined E-ZPass; for many years, the NC QuickPass hard case transponder was the only way to have a single transponder that worked across the entire East Coast (minus South Carolina, which still isn't interoperabile with anyone).

[Joe The Dragon]

WTF?  Wouldn't it be easier to just make an interoperablity deal with the IAG?  Why are they doing this piecemeal?  I have never heard of such a thing beyond the technical limitations on sticker tags back when most E-ZPass states lacked the ability to read anything other than a hard case transponder (which is no longer the case).

They did this approach with accepting E-ZPass in another state (GA)... so, this will NOT be the first time that I've seen E-ZPass getting accepted in a piecemeal approach.

and what will happen after someone gets slammed with missed toll fees for part of a road? where part of it takes e-zpass and parts don't with poor signage of this part DOES NOT TAKE e-zpass?

[ElishaGOtis]

WTF?  Wouldn't it be easier to just make an interoperablity deal with the IAG?  Why are they doing this piecemeal?  I have never heard of such a thing beyond the technical limitations on sticker tags back when most E-ZPass states lacked the ability to read anything other than a hard case transponder (which is no longer the case).

They did this approach with accepting E-ZPass in another state (GA)... so, this will NOT be the first time that I've seen E-ZPass getting accepted in a piecemeal approach.

and what will happen after someone gets slammed with missed toll fees for part of a road? where part of it takes e-zpass and parts don't with poor signage of this part DOES NOT TAKE e-zpass?

This will likely only happen on 2 roadways, being NW Pkwy and SL-1 Austin. If I had to guess, given the previous SunPass interoperability phase in with TX. https://floridasturnpike.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/SunPass-Texas-Interoperability-Map.pdf

I expect pretty much every other roadway would be continuous, I think?

[vdeane]

WTF?  Wouldn't it be easier to just make an interoperablity deal with the IAG?  Why are they doing this piecemeal?  I have never heard of such a thing beyond the technical limitations on sticker tags back when most E-ZPass states lacked the ability to read anything other than a hard case transponder (which is no longer the case).

They did this approach with accepting E-ZPass in another state (GA)... so, this will NOT be the first time that I've seen E-ZPass getting accepted in a piecemeal approach.

and what will happen after someone gets slammed with missed toll fees for part of a road? where part of it takes e-zpass and parts don't with poor signage of this part DOES NOT TAKE e-zpass?

This will likely only happen on 2 roadways, being NW Pkwy and SL-1 Austin. If I had to guess, given the previous SunPass interoperability phase in with TX. https://floridasturnpike.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/SunPass-Texas-Interoperability-Map.pdf

I expect pretty much every other roadway would be continuous, I think?

My read is that this would largely be the opposite - E-ZPass transponders from states would work in the central hub area but not E-ZPass transponders from other states.

[fwydriver405]

Is California's FasTrak Flex the only transponder currently that uses a three-position switch for HOV declaration? The Flex has options for SOV (1), HOV 2 (2), and HOV 3+ (3). The other switchable transponders that are currently issued today I know of only are two-position, TOLL and HOV modes (not counting ones that use a mobile app to declare HOV):

Washington's Good to Go! Flex Pass
Colorado's ExpressToll Switchable HOV3+ Transponders
E-ZPass Flex (VA, NC (as Quick Pass), and MN)

Want to know if there is any advantage to having the three-position switch to differentiate between HOV 2 and HOV 3+ for facilities that offer a(n) HOV discount(s), or if it's more complicated than just having a binary HOV ON/OFF (two-position), especially with determining toll rates and express lane operation. Some of the FasTrak Flex and E-ZPass Flex transponders look similar shapewise, the only physical difference being the position switches.

[jdbx]

Is California's FasTrak Flex the only transponder currently that uses a three-position switch for HOV declaration? The Flex has options for SOV (1), HOV 2 (2), and HOV 3+ (3). The other switchable transponders that are currently issued today I know of only are two-position, TOLL and HOV modes (not counting ones that use a mobile app to declare HOV):

Washington's Good to Go! Flex Pass
Colorado's ExpressToll Switchable HOV3+ Transponders
E-ZPass Flex (VA, NC (as Quick Pass), and MN)

Want to know if there is any advantage to having the three-position switch to differentiate between HOV 2 and HOV 3+ for facilities that offer a(n) HOV discount(s), or if it's more complicated than just having a binary HOV ON/OFF (two-position), especially with determining toll rates and express lane operation. Some of the FasTrak Flex and E-ZPass Flex transponders look similar shapewise, the only physical difference being the position switches.

There is an advantage to the 3-position switch.  On several of the express lanes around here in Northern California, HOV-2 vehicles get a discounted toll, whereas HOV-3+ vehicles can travel for free.  On most of the state-run toll bridges, HOV-2 vehicles can use the HOV lane, but must pay the full toll, while HOV-3+ vehicles pay a discounted toll.

I am actually glad that FasTrak has this as an option, I would hate having to install and use an app to manage this.  It is much easier just to set the switch on your transponder appropriately.

[ElishaGOtis]

Is California's FasTrak Flex the only transponder currently that uses a three-position switch for HOV declaration? The Flex has options for SOV (1), HOV 2 (2), and HOV 3+ (3). The other switchable transponders that are currently issued today I know of only are two-position, TOLL and HOV modes (not counting ones that use a mobile app to declare HOV):

Washington's Good to Go! Flex Pass
Colorado's ExpressToll Switchable HOV3+ Transponders
E-ZPass Flex (VA, NC (as Quick Pass), and MN)

Want to know if there is any advantage to having the three-position switch to differentiate between HOV 2 and HOV 3+ for facilities that offer a(n) HOV discount(s), or if it's more complicated than just having a binary HOV ON/OFF (two-position), especially with determining toll rates and express lane operation. Some of the FasTrak Flex and E-ZPass Flex transponders look similar shapewise, the only physical difference being the position switches.

There is an advantage to the 3-position switch.  On several of the express lanes around here in Northern California, HOV-2 vehicles get a discounted toll, whereas HOV-3+ vehicles can travel for free.  On most of the state-run toll bridges, HOV-2 vehicles can use the HOV lane, but must pay the full toll, while HOV-3+ vehicles pay a discounted toll.

I am actually glad that FasTrak has this as an option, I would hate having to install and use an app to manage this.  It is much easier just to set the switch on your transponder appropriately.

On that note...


Map of phase 1 implementation from the meeting video.

You'll notice that VA and NC are both going to be part of the phase 1, and both agencies offer a E-ZPass Flex option. I wonder how ExpressToll+ will work with E-ZPass Flex. Previously, every agency that had a switch pass that entered the IAG immediately made them interoperable for HOV discounts. I'd imagine the same would be the case here?

[1995hoo]

Is California's FasTrak Flex the only transponder currently that uses a three-position switch for HOV declaration? The Flex has options for SOV (1), HOV 2 (2), and HOV 3+ (3). The other switchable transponders that are currently issued today I know of only are two-position, TOLL and HOV modes (not counting ones that use a mobile app to declare HOV):

Washington's Good to Go! Flex Pass
Colorado's ExpressToll Switchable HOV3+ Transponders
E-ZPass Flex (VA, NC (as Quick Pass), and MN)

Want to know if there is any advantage to having the three-position switch to differentiate between HOV 2 and HOV 3+ for facilities that offer a(n) HOV discount(s), or if it's more complicated than just having a binary HOV ON/OFF (two-position), especially with determining toll rates and express lane operation. Some of the FasTrak Flex and E-ZPass Flex transponders look similar shapewise, the only physical difference being the position switches.

There is an advantage to the 3-position switch.  On several of the express lanes around here in Northern California, HOV-2 vehicles get a discounted toll, whereas HOV-3+ vehicles can travel for free.  On most of the state-run toll bridges, HOV-2 vehicles can use the HOV lane, but must pay the full toll, while HOV-3+ vehicles pay a discounted toll.

I am actually glad that FasTrak has this as an option, I would hate having to install and use an app to manage this.  It is much easier just to set the switch on your transponder appropriately.

Back when Virginia gave a free ride to HOV-2s inside the Beltway, a three-position switch would have been useful because if an HOV-2 vehicle exited to the I-495 HO/T lanes, either the driver or the passenger had to flip the switch to non-HOV mode somewhere between the last gantry on I-66 and the first gantry on the Beltway because an HOV-2 did not qualify for a free ride on the Beltway. My wife and I used to do that fairly regularly. It was a minor hassle, to be sure, but it would have been nice not to have had to bother. It's no longer an issue because Virginia no longer has any toll-free rides for HOV-2 vehicles.

[fwydriver405]

There is an advantage to the 3-position switch.  On several of the express lanes around here in Northern California, HOV-2 vehicles get a discounted toll, whereas HOV-3+ vehicles can travel for free.  On most of the state-run toll bridges, HOV-2 vehicles can use the HOV lane, but must pay the full toll, while HOV-3+ vehicles pay a discounted toll.

I am actually glad that FasTrak has this as an option, I would hate having to install and use an app to manage this.  It is much easier just to set the switch on your transponder appropriately.

Yeah I've also got a few burning questions about how the FasTrak Flex works in relation to the many tolling facilities in California that have HOV discounts (At least in the past from the mid 2010s to 2020s):

Bay Area
The below questions mostly apply to the period after the Metro ExpressLanes in LA (which for a while, mainly issued Title 21 transponders even when the 6C standard was rolling out up until Sept 2024), and the 580 Express Lanes opened especially, and Flex transponders were being issued for users of those lanes.

1. From July 1, 2010 to January 1, 2026, when all you needed to get the HOV discount at the bridges was a valid FasTrak transponder and meet the HOV requirements, if you had a Flex toll tag when they were introduced, did the switch position matter when passing thru that toll point to get the discount?

2. Similarly, when the 680 (South - the one that opened in 2010 as restricted access) and 237 express lanes required that you remove the FasTrak to avoid the toll if you were HOV 2+, did this still apply to Flex users or could they set their transponders to 2 or 3 for toll-free travel? This question applied to during the time before the express lanes agencies there required a FasTrak for all users (including HOV).

SoCal

1. On the 91 Express Lanes, to get the HOV 3+ rates, you have to get into a dedicated lane in order to get the discount at the toll gantry. Like with Question 1 in the Bay Area section, if you meet the HOV 3+ and toll tag requirements (just need a standard FasTrak, sticker FasTrak, or FasTrak Flex), if you have a Flex and get into the 3+ lane, does it matter what position the tag is on to get the discount?

2. Similar to question 2 in the Bay Area section, but on the 15 Express Lanes in San Diego, where no FasTrak is required for HOV 2+. If you met the HOV 2+ requirement, would you still get a free ride if your Flex tag is set to 2 or 3? These sources suggest so (1, 2), but it's unclear if this is official, especially since the Toll Roads is saying:

Drivers with a sticker and switchable transponder in their vehicle will not be charged twice when traveling through a toll point. The system assesses the toll based on the setting of the switchable transponder.

[fwydriver405]

Back when Virginia gave a free ride to HOV-2s inside the Beltway, a three-position switch would have been useful because if an HOV-2 vehicle exited to the I-495 HO/T lanes, either the driver or the passenger had to flip the switch to non-HOV mode somewhere between the last gantry on I-66 and the first gantry on the Beltway because an HOV-2 did not qualify for a free ride on the Beltway. My wife and I used to do that fairly regularly. It was a minor hassle, to be sure, but it would have been nice not to have had to bother. It's no longer an issue because Virginia no longer has any toll-free rides for HOV-2 vehicles.

I was going to ask if there was a sign saying that toll-free travel requires an E-ZPass Flex (in HOV ON mode) and 3 or more passengers on I-66 WB before the Beltway interchange, but there does appear to be one.

Was this also a minor nuisance for the reverse direction too when I-66 Inside the Beltway were converted to HOT lanes (HOV 2+ free with E-ZPass Flex set to HOV ON mode)? In that situation, an HOV 2 vehicle from the Beltway, which must pay the full toll (in TOLL mode) there, wanting to take I-66 East during the HOT/Toll hours in the AM, would have had to switch their Flex from TOLL to HOV ON before encountering an I-66 East gantry.

As you stated before, since I-66 Inside and Outside the Beltway lanes are now HOV 3+ for no toll, this is largely a non-issue presently.

[1995hoo]

Good point. Yes, it applied in the reverse direction as well, obviously flipping the switch in the reverse manner. I didn't think about that before because we almost never went that way. Inbound I-66 was not nearly as fast during the morning rush hour as the outbound side was during the afternoon rush, I think primarily because of lane drops east of the Dulles merge. (Neither of us works downtown anymore, so it's a non-issue for us now. I did use our E-ZPass Flex in HOV mode on the Beltway last Sunday on our way home from dinner when my mother was riding with us, though.)

[ElishaGOtis]

There is an advantage to the 3-position switch.  On several of the express lanes around here in Northern California, HOV-2 vehicles get a discounted toll, whereas HOV-3+ vehicles can travel for free.  On most of the state-run toll bridges, HOV-2 vehicles can use the HOV lane, but must pay the full toll, while HOV-3+ vehicles pay a discounted toll.

I am actually glad that FasTrak has this as an option, I would hate having to install and use an app to manage this.  It is much easier just to set the switch on your transponder appropriately.

Yeah I've also got a few burning questions about how the FasTrak Flex works in relation to the many tolling facilities in California that have HOV discounts (At least in the past from the mid 2010s to 2020s):

Bay Area
The below questions mostly apply to the period after the Metro ExpressLanes in LA (which for a while, mainly issued Title 21 transponders even when the 6C standard was rolling out up until Sept 2024), and the 580 Express Lanes opened especially, and Flex transponders were being issued for users of those lanes.

1. From July 1, 2010 to January 1, 2026, when all you needed to get the HOV discount at the bridges was a valid FasTrak transponder and meet the HOV requirements, if you had a Flex toll tag when they were introduced, did the switch position matter when passing thru that toll point to get the discount?

2. Similarly, when the 680 (South - the one that opened in 2010 as restricted access) and 237 express lanes required that you remove the FasTrak to avoid the toll if you were HOV 2+, did this still apply to Flex users or could they set their transponders to 2 or 3 for toll-free travel? This question applied to during the time before the express lanes agencies there required a FasTrak for all users (including HOV).

SoCal

1. On the 91 Express Lanes, to get the HOV 3+ rates, you have to get into a dedicated lane in order to get the discount at the toll gantry. Like with Question 1 in the Bay Area section, if you meet the HOV 3+ and toll tag requirements (just need a standard FasTrak, sticker FasTrak, or FasTrak Flex), if you have a Flex and get into the 3+ lane, does it matter what position the tag is on to get the discount?

2. Similar to question 2 in the Bay Area section, but on the 15 Express Lanes in San Diego, where no FasTrak is required for HOV 2+. If you met the HOV 2+ requirement, would you still get a free ride if your Flex tag is set to 2 or 3? These sources suggest so (1, 2), but it's unclear if this is official, especially since the Toll Roads is saying:

Drivers with a sticker and switchable transponder in their vehicle will not be charged twice when traveling through a toll point. The system assesses the toll based on the setting of the switchable transponder.

Regarding the last 2, for the HOV lanes that give 2+ free instead of 3+ free, either position of the switch is acceptable. I used the I-10 lanes last summer with the switch set to 2 persons (myself and my dad), and were charged $0.00 tolls on the account (only THEN did I learn about the monthly fee... I confused two agencies  lmao).

For the I-15 express lanes, the official website specifies that if you have a switchable transponder (not issued by SANDAG), you will qualify for the HOV exemptions. However, since SANDAG doesn't use stickers yet, the non-switchable transponder must be put in a non-read bag in order to qualify.
https://www.myfastrak.511sd.com/en/learn/faq

For the 91 express lanes, their website states that the switch position is not considered in the toll collection (just like a regular toll road), but rather the lane that you're in (similar to HCTRA except that all users must have a tag). Additionally, they are (somehow able to get away with) using an occupancy detection system to double check the carpool lane users.
https://www.91expresslanes.com/faqs/
https://www.91expresslanes.com/general-info/occupancy-detection-system/

Idk about the other things... especially in the past. Hope these help, though!

[fwydriver405]

Regarding the last 2, for the HOV lanes that give 2+ free instead of 3+ free, either position of the switch is acceptable. I used the I-10 lanes last summer with the switch set to 2 persons (myself and my dad), and were charged $0.00 tolls on the account (only THEN did I learn about the monthly fee... I confused two agencies  lmao).

Do you mean the Metro ExpressLanes or the San Bernardino portion of I-10 regarding express lanes?

This was also the case on the 580 Express Lanes in Livermore when we visited family in CA and took a trip thru there (got to use the lanes as HOV 3+ and a Flex set to the 3 portion) - I'm not sure if LA displays toll-free trips on statements, but none of their Bay Area FasTrak statements from when we rode on Express Lanes in 2019, 2024, 2025, and 2026 statewide showed any of our toll-free trips, as IIRC, only trips that incur a toll will show up on account statements.

For the I-15 express lanes, the official website specifies that if you have a switchable transponder (not issued by SANDAG), you will qualify for the HOV exemptions. However, since SANDAG doesn't use stickers yet, the non-switchable transponder must be put in a non-read bag in order to qualify.
https://www.myfastrak.511sd.com/en/learn/faq

Hmmm... seemed to have missed this part in the FAQs, I was looking under the "If I carpool how do I avoid getting charged a toll?" part which does mention about the transponder in the Mylar bag for HOV toll-free travel, but not this part...

Learn about new transponder technology

(first two paragraphs cut)

If you have a FasTrak account with a partner agency that has already distributed a sticker transponder and you plan to use the I-15 Express Lanes, work with your Customer Service team to be sure you have the most appropriate device for your use. Drivers with a sticker transponder will always be charged the full toll on the I-15 Express Lanes, regardless of occupancy. This means that driving in the I-15 Express Lanes with a sticker transponder will be read as single occupancy, even if you are driving as an HOV (two or more people).

Removal of the stickers will break the internal antennae so they cannot be shared between vehicles; stickers can only be mounted once.

FasTrak Flex or switchable transponders should be used by drivers who would like to toggle between single-occupancy travel and 2+ or 3+ carpool lanes and be tolled accurately. SANDAG FasTrak customers currently use a mylar bag to prevent their transponder from being read while carpooling.

Come to think of this, I think this may have also been the case for the old I-680 (Sunol - SB) and CA-237 express lanes when the I-580 express lanes opened - FasTrak Flex tags set to the 2 or 3 position will not incur a toll on those facilities, before both required FasTrak Flex tags for HOV discounts. I remember something being said around like 2018-19 about them saying that (it was some kind of FAQs about the Flex), but I can't seem to find the news source where I saw that from.

In all cases, I do know that some Bay Area Flex tags initially were not being read by readers on the 10 and 110 Express Lanes in LA, but the reverse case seemed to work fine on 580 when those lanes opened up.

For the 91 express lanes, their website states that the switch position is not considered in the toll collection (just like a regular toll road), but rather the lane that you're in (similar to HCTRA except that all users must have a tag).

IIRC, I think the HOV lanes on the Bay Area bridge toll plazas prior to January 1, 2026 worked similar to the 91 Express Lanes in that switch position doesn't matter - what lane you are dictates what rate you will be given. That was also mentioned in that news source too about the Flex FAQs.

[ElishaGOtis]

Regarding the last 2, for the HOV lanes that give 2+ free instead of 3+ free, either position of the switch is acceptable. I used the I-10 lanes last summer with the switch set to 2 persons (myself and my dad), and were charged $0.00 tolls on the account (only THEN did I learn about the monthly fee... I confused two agencies  lmao).

Do you mean the Metro ExpressLanes or the San Bernardino portion of I-10 regarding express lanes?

This was also the case on the 580 Express Lanes in Livermore when we visited family in CA and took a trip thru there (got to use the lanes as HOV 3+ and a Flex set to the 3 portion) - I'm not sure if LA displays toll-free trips on statements, but none of their Bay Area FasTrak statements from when we rode on Express Lanes in 2019, 2024, 2025, and 2026 statewide showed any of our toll-free trips, as IIRC, only trips that incur a toll will show up on account statements.

Both, funny enough (as HOV 2+ off-peak on El Monte is toll free, while peak-hour is 3+). Additionally, both showed as "$0.00" transactions.

[fwydriver405]

Regarding the last 2, for the HOV lanes that give 2+ free instead of 3+ free, either position of the switch is acceptable. I used the I-10 lanes last summer with the switch set to 2 persons (myself and my dad), and were charged $0.00 tolls on the account (only THEN did I learn about the monthly fee... I confused two agencies  lmao).

Do you mean the Metro ExpressLanes or the San Bernardino portion of I-10 regarding express lanes?

This was also the case on the 580 Express Lanes in Livermore when we visited family in CA and took a trip thru there (got to use the lanes as HOV 3+ and a Flex set to the 3 portion) - I'm not sure if LA displays toll-free trips on statements, but none of their Bay Area FasTrak statements from when we rode on Express Lanes in 2019, 2024, 2025, and 2026 statewide showed any of our toll-free trips, as IIRC, only trips that incur a toll will show up on account statements.

Both, funny enough (as HOV 2+ off-peak on El Monte is toll free, while peak-hour is 3+). Additionally, both showed as "$0.00" transactions.

Hmm, now I'm interested to see if our toll-free trip as HOV 3+ with their Bay Area FasTrak Flex set to 3 on the 405 Express Lanes did show up as $0.00 on their statement - not sure if this is a just a SoCal thing as the MTC says this for toll-free trips on their express lanes:

PRICING SIGNS

• Your monthly FasTrak statement will show the start and end point of each express lane trip and the price you paid. Toll-free trips will not appear on your statement.

[Thing 342]

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?

I am guessing this has a lot to do with the WDBA being a Canadian crown corporation and therefore handling billing in terms of Canadian Dollars. On the other hand, NFBC's operations are based in the US.

On that note...


Map of phase 1 implementation from the meeting video.

You'll notice that VA and NC are both going to be part of the phase 1, and both agencies offer a E-ZPass Flex option. I wonder how ExpressToll+ will work with E-ZPass Flex. Previously, every agency that had a switch pass that entered the IAG immediately made them interoperable for HOV discounts. I'd imagine the same would be the case here?

I think this only applies to the 2 bridges in VA managed by United Bridge Partners, the Jordan and Veterans Bridges in Chesapeake.

This is a pretty strange way to roll things out - during the first phase, a PikePass holder would be able to use the Jordan Bridge and Dominion Boulevard Veterans Bridges (back office run by UBP) but not the Downtown or Midtown Tunnels (back office run by ERC). Are they making interchange deals with individual facility operators?