Musings: E-ZPass? It's not always that easy
Sometimes, learning new E-ZPass regulations can come at a cost. Credit: AP/Daniel Hulshizer
I recently went on a day trip with a friend to Pennsylvania. As I was driving my car, my friend offered to use his E-ZPass for the tolls. This is not unusual, and it’s something I’ve done before with other friends. As most drivers know, E-ZPass saves drivers money. If you don’t have one, you’ll get a bill using your car’s license plate number since metropolitan area tolls are cashless.
About a month later, I was more than surprised to find my E-ZPass statement showed that my car had been charged tolls at the bridges and roads we traveled to and from during our day’s outing. How could that be? We had my friend’s E-ZPass affixed to my car’s windshield.
My friend, though, told me he had no charges to his E-ZPass for that day. I figured it was a mistake because I had full toll charges of approximately $40 for that day instead of around the discounted $26.
When I called E-ZPass, I was told it no longer accepts an E-ZPass that doesn’t correspond to the license plate it was issued to if it’s in someone else’s account. It makes some sense, I suppose, but it would have also made some sense and been customer-friendly to have sent a flyer or some communication with the bill explaining that this concept was now in effect.
It cost me an extra $14 to find this out, and it’s a sign of disrespect from E-ZPass administrators. I guess we’ll have to figure out another way for two friends to split costs on a shared trip.
— Gerard Porcelli, South Farmingdale
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