USA Toll Transponder Interoperability - 2026 edition

[vdeane]

At this point, I'm feeling like interoperability between Canada and the US is probably less likely than it was before.  With Canada trying to become less reliant on the US and align more closely to the EU, interoperability almost feels like a political step backwards.

interoperability ≠ dependence

It's still more integration, and many younger Canadians especially would like to cut ties.

[kalvado]

At this point, I'm feeling like interoperability between Canada and the US is probably less likely than it was before.  With Canada trying to become less reliant on the US and align more closely to the EU, interoperability almost feels like a political step backwards.

interoperability ≠ dependence

But traffic counts = interoperability benefits

[Rothman]

At this point, I'm feeling like interoperability between Canada and the US is probably less likely than it was before.  With Canada trying to become less reliant on the US and align more closely to the EU, interoperability almost feels like a political step backwards.

interoperability ≠ dependence

But traffic counts = interoperability benefits

Wut.

[Great Lakes Roads]

From NTTA:
TollTag will be interoperable with the Ohio Turnpike Infrastructure Commission and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) on September 27th. (That's it from Phase 1)

Phase 2 (Q1 2027)- RI, MN, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, KY, United Bridge Partners/Cline Avenue Bridge, VA, NJTPA, SJTA, Delaware River Port Authority, Delaware River & Bay Authority, Burlington County Bridge Commission, Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission

Phase 3 (TBD 2027)- NH, ME, DE, GA, WV, NY *Harris County for E-ZPass

[kalvado]

At this point, I'm feeling like interoperability between Canada and the US is probably less likely than it was before.  With Canada trying to become less reliant on the US and align more closely to the EU, interoperability almost feels like a political step backwards.

interoperability ≠ dependence

But traffic counts = interoperability benefits

Wut.

In simple terms - there will be no reason for interoperability when the border around Lake America is closed.

[hotdogPi]

collapsed four-level quote stack

In simple terms - there will be no reason for interoperability when the border around Lake America is closed.

The only reason there is no traffic around the border of Lake America is because there is no such thing as Lake America.

[ElishaGOtis]

From NTTA:
TollTag will be interoperable with the Ohio Turnpike Infrastructure Commission and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) on September 27th. (That's it from Phase 1)

Phase 2 (Q1 2027)- RI, MN, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, KY, United Bridge Partners/Cline Avenue Bridge, VA, NJTPA, SJTA, Delaware River Port Authority, Delaware River & Bay Authority, Burlington County Bridge Commission, Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission

Phase 3 (TBD 2027)- NH, ME, DE, GA, WV, NY *Harris County for E-ZPass

Where's CFX in this?

[Radem]

From NTTA:
TollTag will be interoperable with the Ohio Turnpike Infrastructure Commission and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) on September 27th. (That's it from Phase 1)

Phase 2 (Q1 2027)- RI, MN, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, KY, United Bridge Partners/Cline Avenue Bridge, VA, NJTPA, SJTA, Delaware River Port Authority, Delaware River & Bay Authority, Burlington County Bridge Commission, Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission

Phase 3 (TBD 2027)- NH, ME, DE, GA, WV, NY *Harris County for E-ZPass

Where's CFX in this?

The CFX FAQ page (https://www.cfxway.com/faqs) only has this information about using those passes on the CFX system:

Will my Texas TollTag, Kansas K-TAG or Oklahoma PIKEPASS work in Florida?
Yes, on a limited basis. On February 27, these passes will be accepted in Florida on Florida Turnpike Enterprise and FDOT-owned expressways.

CFX will soon accept toll payments for vehicles using the Texas TollTag, Kansas K-TAG and Oklahoma PIKEPASS toll passes on CFX expressways, effective date to be announced.

When using these passes, you will be charged the electronic toll rate.

It does not say anything about using CFX E-Passes on those systems.

[Molandfreak]

collapsed four-level quote stack

In simple terms - there will be no reason for interoperability when the border around Lake America is closed.

The only reason there is no traffic around the border of Lake America is because there is no such thing as Lake America.

There is a Lake America in South Dakota, but no toll roads there!

[SSOWorld]

From NTTA:
TollTag will be interoperable with the Ohio Turnpike Infrastructure Commission and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) on September 27th. (That's it from Phase 1)

Phase 2 (Q1 2027)- RI, MN, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, KY, United Bridge Partners/Cline Avenue Bridge, VA, NJTPA, SJTA, Delaware River Port Authority, Delaware River & Bay Authority, Burlington County Bridge Commission, Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission

Phase 3 (TBD 2027)- NH, ME, DE, GA, WV, NY *Harris County for E-ZPass

Source?

[Great Lakes Roads]

From NTTA:
TollTag will be interoperable with the Ohio Turnpike Infrastructure Commission and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) on September 27th. (That's it from Phase 1)

Phase 2 (Q1 2027)- RI, MN, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, KY, United Bridge Partners/Cline Avenue Bridge, VA, NJTPA, SJTA, Delaware River Port Authority, Delaware River & Bay Authority, Burlington County Bridge Commission, Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission

Phase 3 (TBD 2027)- NH, ME, DE, GA, WV, NY *Harris County for E-ZPass

Source?

https://ntta.new.swagit.com/videos/401308
~7:30 mark in the video of the meeting...

[SSOWorld]

Well, they did forget Michigan (Bay City)  

[ZLoth]

Well, as a NTTA user, I'm happy when I can road trip again. However, according to Dallas News at https://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/article/ntta-adds-7-new-states-texas-tolltag-network-22442146.php (paywall):

The North Texas Tollway Authority is adding toll roads from the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission and the Maryland Transportation Authority to its interoperability roster starting Sept. 24.

Last week, NTTA announced six other additions to the TollTag roster: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Chicago Skyway, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, North Carolina Turnpike Authority and Indiana Toll Road.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://pikepass.com/plan-your-trip/interoperability
https://ksturnpike.com/uploads/misc-documents/iOP-list_Sept-25_2026.pdf

PikePass and K-Tag are now accepted in Ohio and Maryland.
Checked the Ohio Turnpike and DriveEzMD websites and it hasn't been updated on their end.

[kphoger]

Am I the only one who keeps thinking, —Wow, it's actually... it's actually happening!

[kalvado]

Am I the only one who keeps thinking, —Wow, it's actually... it's actually happening!

Don't think too much, as it can cause unwanted consequences -  like wrinkles, diarrhea, and dental  issues.

[vdeane]

I still don't see what the point of doing this all piecemeal is.  Isn't the point of the E-ZPass IAG so that each state that accepts E-ZPass doesn't need to enter into separate agreements with each other state that accepts E-ZPass?

[elsmere241]

I still don't see what the point of doing this all piecemeal is.  Isn't the point of the E-ZPass IAG so that each state that accepts E-ZPass doesn't need to enter into separate agreements with each other state that accepts E-ZPass?

A while back, my father suggested that every American car have a transponder by default.

[kalvado]

I still don't see what the point of doing this all piecemeal is.  Isn't the point of the E-ZPass IAG so that each state that accepts E-ZPass doesn't need to enter into separate agreements with each other state that accepts E-ZPass?

I'm afraid it's the difference in billing. E.g. visa cards probably have a single interchange point, directing transactions to correct bank. My impression is that EZpass has no such central clearing house, but rather go on mutal agreements within the system. And as the system grows, number of such agreements (and probability of mistakes!) would go up as n^2...
Somewhat similar to cards being same format - but not every bank and not every retailer has to support all of Visa, Master, Discover, Amex... zoo. Except for EZpass now has to support at least 2 tag formats  to make it worse.

[cl94]

I still don't see what the point of doing this all piecemeal is.  Isn't the point of the E-ZPass IAG so that each state that accepts E-ZPass doesn't need to enter into separate agreements with each other state that accepts E-ZPass?

Honestly, I think the bigger reason is that some IAG members are insistent on transponder discrimination, while central hub doesn't allow it. So as long as NY, NJ, MA, and ME insist on charging out of state tags higher rates, you'll never get the IAG to sign on.

[kalvado]

I still don't see what the point of doing this all piecemeal is.  Isn't the point of the E-ZPass IAG so that each state that accepts E-ZPass doesn't need to enter into separate agreements with each other state that accepts E-ZPass?

Honestly, I think the bigger reason is that some IAG members are insistent on transponder discrimination, while central hub doesn't allow it. So as long as NY, NJ, MA, and ME insist on charging out of state tags higher rates, you'll never get the IAG to sign on.

I am not really following... Why is that a problem for IAG?

[vdeane]

I still don't see what the point of doing this all piecemeal is.  Isn't the point of the E-ZPass IAG so that each state that accepts E-ZPass doesn't need to enter into separate agreements with each other state that accepts E-ZPass?

Honestly, I think the bigger reason is that some IAG members are insistent on transponder discrimination, while central hub doesn't allow it. So as long as NY, NJ, MA, and ME insist on charging out of state tags higher rates, you'll never get the IAG to sign on.

I am not really following... Why is that a problem for IAG?

My understanding of what cl94 posted is that a direct agreement between the IAG and Central Hub would require the IAG to commit to eliminate transponder discrimination.  Since the states that are part of the IAG would never agree to do that, such an agreement is not possible, so they're working around that by having every Central Hub state make individual deals with every E-ZPass state.

[kalvado]

I still don't see what the point of doing this all piecemeal is.  Isn't the point of the E-ZPass IAG so that each state that accepts E-ZPass doesn't need to enter into separate agreements with each other state that accepts E-ZPass?

Honestly, I think the bigger reason is that some IAG members are insistent on transponder discrimination, while central hub doesn't allow it. So as long as NY, NJ, MA, and ME insist on charging out of state tags higher rates, you'll never get the IAG to sign on.

I am not really following... Why is that a problem for IAG?

My understanding of what cl94 posted is that a direct agreement between the IAG and Central Hub would require the IAG to commit to eliminate transponder discrimination.  Since the states that are part of the IAG would never agree to do that, such an agreement is not possible, so they're working around that by having every Central Hub state make individual deals with every E-ZPass state.

And why eliminating discrimination comes into play? Transponders from other systems are treated equally, local transpoder gets local rate..
There may be something about it in IAG documents, but would be great to know some details.

[vdeane]

And why eliminating discrimination comes into play? Transponders from other systems are treated equally, local transpoder gets local rate..
There may be something about it in IAG documents, but would be great to know some details.

Central Hub doesn't have "local rate" and "everyone else rate".  Just "the rate".  No special deals for in-state transponder users.  Exactly as E-ZPass was when first implemented (beyond commuter plans that replaced the old tokens and are different from state-based transponder discrimination because they are opt-in plans that rarely make sense for infrequent users) and IMO what should be the law of the land nationwide.

[cl94]

My understanding of what cl94 posted is that a direct agreement between the IAG and Central Hub would require the IAG to commit to eliminate transponder discrimination.  Since the states that are part of the IAG would never agree to do that, such an agreement is not possible, so they're working around that by having every Central Hub state make individual deals with every E-ZPass state.

This was my point, yes. As mentioned above, Central Hub only has "transponder" and "cash" rates, with no in-state discounts. Several E-ZPass states in the Northeast have been leaning heavily on in-state discounts in recent years for political reasons (read: to avoid raising tolls on their own voters). This is no bueno in Central Hub, as they want their tag holders to pay the same rate as every other tag holder they are interoperable with, no home agency discounts allowed. To go fully interoperable at the IAG level, the IAG would likely need to ban transponder discrimination, which New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Maine would almost certainly veto