Will I give up the convenience? No
Will I just add an extra user onto my in-laws out of state account? Yes

Unlike just about any other sane state, MD and DE refuse to put up the $$$ to put a high speed EZPass in the 95 corridor, slowing the entire stretch down at times. Instead, they've decided to raise the fees because they've spent too much in other areas. What they should be doing is looking at ways to save money and be more efficient.

Cheese, I hear you! Here's a tip: Mike Dresser says to avoid the Delaware toll backup, get off I-95 at exit 100 for North East and take Route 40 to Delaware's 896 and back to I-95. Yes, it's stop-and-go traffic until you get back on the freeway, but you avoid the congestion as well as some of the highest toll charges per mile along the I-95 corridor. --- lfk

As someone who hits the tolls in Maryland about a dozen times a year (at the most), it doesn't make too much sense to buy into a service where most of the cost will be administrative fees. Will the extra fees only serve to slow the adoption of EZ-pass (and thus, not alleviate toll congestion) because occasional users won't buy into it for the added expense?

Gus, I feel the same way. I really wonder what proportion of the more than half a million E-ZPass Maryland subscribers are regular commuters as opposed to just casual travelers. --- lfk

1) what do other states do?
2) All EZPass uesers must set up an automatic debit to an account to replenish amounts and many (like myself) get email statements. Where's the "cost" in that?
3) a fee to underwrite the costs of the contractor who administers the program? Why not have MTA employees who we all pay taxes to underwrite their salaries administer the program?

Blair, Delaware (updated: I meant the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission) now charges $1 a month. I'm looking for more info about what other states are charging. --- lfk.

I have had the pass for about 7 years. I got it because I was a commuter and liked to save time. I no longer commute, but keep the pass for the dozen or so times I year I run into a toll. If I have to pay additional fees, they can have their pass back.

I am considering returning my EZPass when the fee goes into effect. Right now, I use it when I drive to New England, which takes place perhaps twice a year. If it's going to cost me $18 a year to keep the thing in my car, I will return it and drive to New England through Pennsylvania.

Caroline, that's a smart way to avoid congestion as well as tolls. Later I'll share Mike Dresser's tested detours for avoiding tolls. --- lfk

Blame the citizens of MD for this one. They keep elelcting the tax and spend crowd. Check with state delegate Pat McDonough's office to find out about other 'surprises' Mr. Owe'Malley has in store for you. As the old saying goes...you ain't seen nothing yet!

These types of ideas shows what numskulls we have working for the government. After years, and millions of dollars to get us to adopt EZpass, they now want to penalize us.
I currently have 3 ezpass. I will mail all of them back if they implement this. I would end up paying more in fees than tolls thru the year.
What is it about working for the government that attracts these morons?

So I have to pay an additional fee in order to pay the original toll fee now? There is no end to the theft on the part of government.

They set up toll booths, then charge us additional money to pay them the toll.

Interesting that a MAIN selling point of the EZpass when it first came out was that it wouldn't cost any more than the standard toll. I'm surprised they aren't saying the $1.50 is for "educating the children" or some other tried and true lie.

I agree with Cheese and Blair. I was just in Texas and their Texas tag system on the Austin highways are pretty much all the high speed lanes. While I understand there would be some growing pains as they converted, MD and especially DE need to consider it. EZPass breaks down when the traffic backs ups and blocks the EZPass lanes or when knuckleheads without EZPass stay in those lanes until the last minute.

I also think we EZPass users save the state money in not having to pay someone to take our cash. I really hope they reconsider this...

In my new life (hello everyone in Consuming Interests Land, I miss y'all) I have to do some commuting so I was considering getting an EZPass. The fee is not a lot, but for the occasional user of tolls, it does make me wonder whether it's necessary to sign up for the program. Seems to me the state should focus on getting more people to adopt it so that traffic moves faster and they end up making money off of more drivers who no longer avoid the tolls instead of nickel and dime-ing commuters. Oh, but that would make too much sense.

DD, we miss you! Yes, I agree --- you'd think toll revenues would be higher using the long tail approach --- encouraging occasional drivers to use the electronic system. The costs of the electronic system have *got* to be less than paying humans to staff the toll booths at all hours of the day and night, right?

I thought we already were incurring a fee when they replentish your account and hold your $$ without interest. If they pass this EVERYONE should turn in their EZ Tax.

A further note, I checked some other state sites. New York charges you a one time fee for the transponder and after that there are apparently not monthly fees. I would be happy to pay Maryland a one time fee of $18 to keep the transponder.

Caroline, the MdTA kinda already has that in the works ... Part of the proposal would allow them to charge $21 for new or replacement transponders. As a current subscriber you wouldn't be charged anything other than the administrative fee. -- lfk.

To those who are in charge but shouldn't be:
If the state goes forward with this hair brained idea they can take my transponders and shove them you know where. Then you can go out an hire many more toll collectors and or just bog down traffic more as I will just be sitting in line like those that do not have e-z pass. Does our state and federal government not know that our country is in deep financial crisis!!!! Maybe we should see how we can keep traffic flowing and still allow Maryland citizens that already are paying insane taxes and fees on everything we touch what's next the air we breathe. People don't you know you can't get blood from a stone. CUT PROGRAMS, NO NEW PROGRAMS, I personally like all others have had enough of government deciding how to spend my hard earned money.

Sick and Tired

I have the pass for convenience, not for commuting, but I'll give up the pass if I have to pay a monthly fee - the convenience isn't worth $18 a year considering the few times I use it. Like Caroline, I'd be willing to pay a one-time fee for the transponder (even though I already have it) if I didn't have to pay a monthly fee.

Jim, what you and Caroline would prefer makes sense for the consumer, because the cost per use would go down over time. --- lfk.

I will turn in my EZ Pass if the proposed fees are enacted. I spend enough in taxes and fees.

I will cancel my EZPass if this fee goes into effect.

I will not be the victim of a bait and switch.

Maryland: sign up for it, it's free and easy!
Me: Ok- sounds good.
Maryland: You like that? Now pay me.

I take my EZPass to use in Illinois when I visit family because it works in their IPass system. IPass users do not pay a monthly fee and only pay half the toll that cash users pay. Even more, with Open Road Tolling, they don't even have to slow down. Most people in Illinois have an IPass and they have cut down on the number of cash booths and toll collectors. Why not reward those who participate in the system instead of penalizing them?

Will non EZ-pass users be charged a fee to pay for the cost of the toll collector?

Vindex, you made me laugh out loud with that thought. I gotta admit, I ask the same question when I look too closely at my utility bills. Whaddya mean, gas delivery charge? Why isn't that factored into the rest of the money I'm already paying you? --- lfk

What if you don't get a statment physically mailed to you? There's no way that the email MdTA sends me every month providing a link to my online billing statement costs them $1.50. If they try to stick the fee to me and others who have online statements I will be turning in my EZ-Pass immediately. Especially for casual users like myself (who can go a few months at a time without ever going through a toll) it makes no sense to pay $1.50 a month for the state to send me an email reminding me my online statement is ready to view.

A faster way to avoid the $4 toll in DE - take exit 109, go north a mile to Rt 4, go right for another mile, then another right on Rt 896. Viola 95 north in DE. Reverse going south. At most you add only 2 minutes to your trip and don't give EZ Pass 4 bucks.

Dennis, thanks for the tip! --- lfk.

So, confusion. I'm seeing two different things. Are they planning to charge you $1.50/month for each transponder??? or just $1.50 for each account, regardless of how many transponders?

Noble, working on clarifying that. --- lfk.

Here's the answer: $1.50 monthly per account, for an account maintenance fee.--- lfk.

All good comments. I have 3 transponders and will be returning them as I am also an occasional user. What has not been mentioned is that I get my account replenshed automatically. EZ Pass has determined that I must keep a minimum of $25 in my account. Why do they need an extra $4.50 a month when they already have $25 just sitting there? Also, get rid of the contractors and bring the service in house. I am tired of paying contracting vendors for red light tickets, speed camera tickets, and now EZ Pass administration. Exactly what do the people in DOT do?

Alan, just confirmed it's $1.50 a month for an "account maintenance" fee, not per transponder. --- lfk.

The way I see it, the MDTA should be decreasing the tolls for us. They save significant labor charges by not having to have toll collectors at the booths. There are a minimum of two EzPass toll booths at the tunnels, Key Bridge, JFK Highway, and the Bay Bridge. If they include wages and benefits and overhead, they must be saving at least $50,000 X 2 booths per location X 5 locations X 3 shifts = $1,500,000. If they are using adequate automation at DMV, MDTA shouldn't need more than 1 or 2 people to process the charges.

A more equitable increase would be to increase the toll for everyone.

If they institute this tax, I will have to reconsider my participation in the EzPass program.

DelDOT's E-ZPass site states that they only make you pay for the transponder (the bridge authorities charge the monthly fee). The PA Turnpike only charges $3 per year and most agencies that charge monthly fees charge $1 or less. I'd pay 50 cents a month but with their rates I'd turn my pass in since I'm not a commuter.

Nick, I'll fix my earlier post! --- lfk.

Is the $1.50 fee per transponder or per account? My wife and I have a transponder in both of our cars.

Just confirmed: it's per account! --- lfk.

It sounds like Bait and Switch to me. Offer a service that saves commuters time and the government money, have people sign up, then raise the cost.

They (MD govt) are pulling the same stunt with MARC. They beg us to use mass transit, then cry poverty cos they aren't collecting as much revenue from motorists because more people are now taking the train. The answer according to MDOT: reduce MARC service to save money.

The cost of the tolls prior to EZpass covered adminstrative costs and the salaries of toll takers. How many less toll takers are now employed now that the system is up and running? If they are suggesting it costs more to run the EZPass system, they are either paying too much or the system needs to become more efficient.

It again seems that the State of Maryland is trying to punish those of us that live on the eastern shore and work on the western shore. A majority of the people that use the EZ pass live on the eastern shore and work in Annapolis, Baltimore, or DC. I don't believe it is fair to charge a processing fee for those of us that use the transponder out of necessity, daily, to get home and not raise tolls for the vacationers that flock to the ocean anually. It just appears that there would be more of an effect on the Eastern Shore resident (who can not live w/o the EZ pass in the summer) than the average person who makes a half dozen trips a year. There has to be a better way.

I'm done with EZpass if this goes into effect. I can understand a fee to purchase the transponder, but no way am I going to pay an "account maintenance fee" to use it a couple times a year.
They should be charging the people who don't have EZPass more! They are the ones that slow things down and make the state have to pay toll collectors (which actually make a lot of money for untrained work).

Where do people write to input "public comment" for the pending legislation? The news article says that "public comment on the proposed changes will be accepted until Jan 27th". Is this change in fees entirely up to the MTA or should people write to them and some other legislative or representative body? I would think a lot of people would write if they knew where to write to.

tk, here's the information: "Comments can be sent to mdtatollrates@mdta.state.md.us or to Ronald L. Freeland, Executive Secretary, Maryland Transportation Authority, 2310 Broening Highway, Suite 150, Baltimore, Md. 21224." --- lfk.

Seriously, pay a fee to pay a toll? Next thing you know we'll have an 'administrative fee' on our paystub for the collection of our taxes! I'm in the 'use the pass a dozen times a year' crowd and think this is ridiculous. Why not charge the NON-Ezpass users a fee for forcing the state to put a human in the toll booth? It would hit the 5,115,727 Marylanders who DON'T have Ezpass! Do that math Owe'Malley! (Thanks Caroline!)

What a surprise! The state goverment is short of funds so they raise fees to as many people as they can! Ever hear of BUDGET CUTS? REDUCED SPENDING?? How about another surprise that's in the works!?! The MDTA wants to change $21 per replacement transponder? Guess how many current transponders are due to be replaced because the internal battery will run out soon? I bet they wait until after July 1 to send out the replacements too! If these additional fees are approved I'll be sending my 2 transponders back. In fact, I think I'll avoid the rush and try VA or PA for a free EZPass. Maryland, the Free State? No, the Fee State

How is EZpass more convenient for drivers? MD has no high speed lanes and now your going to have to pay for it? Give me a break, all the benefits (more revenue, far less costs, and less posibility for error) are for the MTA and now they want to charge us for their convenience. I'll be e-mailing these scam artists, as should you.

I am one of those occasional users (non Commuter). I will be turning in my pass if they start to charge me. I do not like waiting in lines, but the idea of a monthly charge after they encouraged us to get EZ Pass is just another tax and spend gimmick. They already keep my money, earning interest, that should be enough. Keep the pass, I will be in line or find a different route.

What does the State do with all the interest it makes on the $25 per EZ pass account that they "replenish" from time to time?

George, this is an aspect that other commenters have mentioned as well. Let me see what I can find out. --- lfk.

I have had the MASS. EZ-PASS since it's inception about 8 years ago. I kept it when I moved to MD in 2004. There is no monthly fee, upon signing up the transponder was free, however, when the batteries go on it they do charge you $25 for a replacement. I have incurred this charge once.
They directly charge my credit card when my balance is low and I receive a monthly, detailed statement.
EZ Pass is invaluable for my job as a salesperson.

There is a program in MASS that let's you deduct some of the costs associated with the EZ-Pass off your state taxes. Of course you have to be a resident.

Maryland should offer commuters some kind of carrot or incentive to utilize EZ PASS since it saves gas, pollution and reduces their expenses.

You really hafta scour the EZPass sites of our neighboring states to find it, but you'll see that they are already doing the same thing.

The Deleware River and Bay Authority and the NJTP Authority charge a similar monthly fee starting on the first anniversary of usage (loophole? turn in the transponder before the 1 yr mark and get a new one?); and DelDot appears to have done away with transponder "deposits" and instead charge a transponder "fee" of $25 (one-time?) instead of monthly service charges.

The MassPike seems to charge $1.00 for every failed transponder read (i.e., toll was posted to your EZPass account by matching the video image of the license plate taken at the toll facility to the one(s) registered on your account) but not for monthly account servicing.

I dunno, I'm of mixed minds about this proposal. On the one hand, I agree with the general "bait and switch" sentiment, but on the other, if you travel some of the tollways in neighboring states with your EZPass, you get toll discounts that could very well net-out to be greater than the service fee. (See PANYNJ Crossing NJTP discounts)

I'd feel better about the proposal if there was a mixed approach - modest toll increase, no EZPass fee, and toll discounts for transponder users. Tolls have already been sold to us as "user-fees," it seems just plain silly that we should be required to pay two types of user-fees for the same travel.

Pete, I'm wondering similiar things. MdTA can certainly charge whatever the market will bear for the convenience of using electronic tolls, or tolls in general, and some people will pay them. Then again, if they're raising the fees to bring in revenue, will the increases just discourage people from driving or lead them to seek out alternate routes? --- lfk.

Goodbye EZPass for me. I signed up because it was convenient and free, but it's no problem at all for me to plan ahead a bit and make sure I have a few extra dollars on me to pay a toll. I agree with several others--why is the state imposing a fee upon the few who would seem to be saving it money in salaries and traffic at manned booths? Is this contractor who administers the EZPass program ripping the state off to the point that it actually costs more to have EZPass users than to pay toll collectors to sit in the booths?

When this goes into effect, I will be returning my transponders to MD and registering with DelDOT for their one-time fee and no monthly charges.

I can't help but think that this idea came from some board meeting. Some supervisor demanded cost saving or revenue producing ideas, and this was the "winner". Personally, I would rather see a slight monthly fee then proposing new or higher tolls. I am one of the occasional users of EZPass and tend to use it more in other states than in Maryland. How about making the monthly fee a bit more reasonable and only charge it if the transponder is used that month?

Carrie, that's a great suggestion about the monthly fee --- and it would probably discourage unnecessary trips. Not sure how it would work out for the financial plan but I hope you're submitting it as a public comment! --- lfk.

I live in Maryland but use my EZ-Pass occasionally - about four times per year over the Bay Bridge and a few more than that on the Dulles Toll Road, in VA. I'm switching to VA. They do NOT charge a monthly fee to people who save them money and toll construction/maintenance costs (E-ZPass users). I'll be mailing mine back to MD as soon as my VA pass arrives. Some state E-ZPass sites say that they charge if the returned pass has been painted. Do they charge if profanities are written to O'Mally on them?

My EZ-Pass account has a balance on it. When ever it gets down to about $10 my card is automatically charged to bring my balance to $25. I could go several months without using a toll. What is MTA doing with the interest on my (and about half a milion others) $25 balance? Could this not be used towards the administaration of the program?

I travel back and forth to NJ at least 10 times a year. I figure EZPass saves me a minimum of 5 minutes a trip each way (100 minutes total for the 10 roundtrips); quite frankly during the holidays, the time savings was MUCH more than 5 minutes! Time is money, and my time (and aggravation) is worth more than an $18 a year service charge. I'll pay it.

Bob, you're paying for convenience, and definitely, there's value in that. --- lfk.

I suppose the State doesn't realize that one of the reasons the EZ Pass was put in place was to reduce the cost of collecting tolls (less collectors at peak hours). Figures that they'd penalize those that are helping them save AND being fuel efficient!

Passing the cost of the transponder is fine. "Account Maintenance Fee" paid to the contractor is nothing short of robbery and should be stopped at all costs. This has to end. MDTA needs to revamp their entire system and look for savings that way.

Dennis, I told Dresser about that Delaware toll shortcut about 2 years ago. But fastest I have ever made it is 8 minutes if you hit some of the lights. Tried his way once. It's terrible.

And yes I will turn in my EZ pass if there is a monthly fee.

I hope that the state is forced to mail every account holder a letter and a form which explicitly announces the changes in terms and conditions of the program, much as a credit card company must now do. Then we must have the option of approving the changes or canceling our accounts.

lfk--I actually get off at exit 109, stop at State Line Liquor for quality microbrews, take a right at Rte 2/4, and come back down 896 to get around it.

lfk--It is also good to get off at exit 109, make a right at rte 2/4, and come south on 896 to get around the $5. There is another way to get to the bridge without use of rte 40, but I'm not talking about it...

Cheese, I don't blame you for keeping some secrets! --- lfk.

The question is, will anyone vote against O'Malley next time because of these shenanigans? Largest tax hike in history yet we are entering this year with even more deficits.

EZpass is about convenience, you know, driving by the people that are all stuck in the lines to use cash. That alone is worth much more than 18 bucks to me – even if I only used it once a year.

Kirk, I'm starting to agree with you. The prospect of waiting on line even once a month to save what amounts to the cost of a cup of coffee is weighing on my mind ... and I don't even drink coffee. I already save money by bringing my own hot-beverage supplies (tea) to work, so maybe I can 'splurge' on E-ZPass. And that is probably the cost-benefit analysis that MdTA officials expect most drivers to make. --- lfk.

I already pay $1.00 per month. Is this an additional fee so that I will pay $2.50 or is it an increase to $1.50?

Ruffin, where are you based? Do you get your E-ZPass from Maryland? --- lfk.

For all of you who are upset about this (as I am), please remember your anger the next time you go to the polls. Stop electing crooked politicians, MD!! People in this state love to complain and then they vote the bums back in for another term. Wake up!!

When EZPass was first implemented in Delaware, the toll was actually cheaper for EZPass users to encourage people to make the switch. Now we're doing the opposite?

And wasn't the point of implementing EZPass to save the state the money they would have been paying full-time toll collectors, plus benefits, as well as other employees needed for the daily maintenance of toll booths? Shouldn't EZPass have already SAVED money? If so, 1) why are they now increasing EZPass fees and 2) what's been done with EZPass revenue and the money saved by not paying those employees that would have to work were EZPass not in use?

Sounds like poor money management to me, but would anyone be surprised by that?

Put some high-speed EZPass lanes in then MAYBE I'll think about paying a monthly fee

I thought of something else. Will all of us who cancel our accounts get a refund to our credit cards of the money the state is holding in our balance?

As with all the comments so far, I will cancel my EZ-Pass if they put in this monthly fee. I can handle the charge for the transponders, but not the monthly service fee.
As a casual user who only uses the service a few times a year (and mostly out of state), why should I pay an extra $18 a year for this? I'll take I-68 instead of the PA Turnpike and wait in line at other places.
Now all the casul suers drop their EZ-Pass accounts and then they are tempted to use the new Toll Lanes on I-95, but wait, they have no EZ-Pass and can't, so the state losses that money they could have made. They will need more toll collectors, which will cost more money and more cars sitting in traffic equals more pollution, those extra cars cause extra long back up which also affect people who still have EZ-Pass making them want to drop it as well.
Do people in Annapolis actually think things through before they send out press releases?

A really well kept dirty secret is that the ICC is sucking up all the current and future transportation funding as Maryland will need to pay millions in interest alone for that 18 mile bypass. As long as we allow wasteful road projects expect to pay big time to play.

Welcome to MD!! Land of the EXPENSIVE and Home of the TAX HAPPY!! This entire country is in shambles because of the high and mighty government and corporate money-hungry people and it's ALWAYS the tax payers who have to pay the price! Major companies, banks and auto manufacturers are getting a bail-out...when do the taxpayers get theirs?????

For those of you who do the cost analysis - that's great. And, it will be more than likely worth it. But, that's beside the point on this issue. The EZ-Pass was implemented to SAVE Maryland money and resources, as well as save the environment from the extra pollution generated sitting in gridlocked traffic. Now Maryland is going to punish those who have helped save (isn't thin typical of a liberal state like Maryland?). Maryland has been on a MASSIVE spending spree for the past twenty years. O'Mally just increased sales tax 20% and is increasing all kinds of other taxes (fees) as well. Maryland needs to STOP wasting money. If not Maryland will see the productive residents either flee or cheat on their taxes. Cash deals will be the name of the game in the future. The people who don't work and don't pay taxes will gladly stay in Maryland.

Would everyone who posts here please also send your comments to MdTA. The email address is given in the article (mdtatollrates@mdta.state.md.us). They probably won't listen as usual but if they get enough negative comments, they might.

So...this $1.50/month is going to the contractor who maintains the accounts? Are these the same contractors that don't send out a EMAIL statement until about 3 months AFTER the dates that the statement covers? The statements are essentially useless.

Count me amoung the users who will be former-users once this goes through.

Other posters have mentioned changing their EZ-Pass accounts to other states. In fact, I have seen EZ-Pass vending machines in PA Turnpike rest stops. Will this work if you give them a MD address or will they just forward the information to MD and charge you anyway?

Retired, I'm not sure, but it seems like each of the participating agencies maintains their own databases of users. I'm making a list of questions to pose to MdTA officials and I'll get back to you with that answer. --- lfk.

I only usieEZPass occasionally. I resent having to pay an additional fixed fee. I would rather see the toll increase by a small amount distributed over the entire user population, than have to pay a $15 or $20 additional fee for a service I might or might not use. Politicians can't seem to figure this out. Maybe that is why they're Pols.

Simply amazing! Don't they realize that their job isn't for life? As a great old song put it: "Remember, if you plan to stay, those who give can take away. Don't bite the hands that feed you!"
I hope we won't forget who's responsible for increased costs, fees, taxes, surcharges, etc at the next election. Change is in the air!

I'm actually an out-of-stater who uses a Maryland E-ZPass. While they ask non-residents to sign up with their home agency and will try to direct you there if you try to sign up, it is possible to "trick" the sign-up pages into letting you through. You just say that you're a resident and then change the state on the enrollment form. Some states may have gotten smart and changed this but it's worked for me before.

"The state now has 531,000 E-ZPass accounts, with 842,000 transponders." Times $18 = $9,558,000. Where do they get the REST of the $60 million? Why not increase the toll to $3.00= $14million more? (assuming 27 M trips/yr) That way=more equity, more revenue, more incentive to use ezpass

Doug, there are other changes afoot as well, including larger tolls for commercial vehicles such as trucks, fines for violations, changes to commuter plans and more (the story has more specifics). If you'd favor higher tolls for passenger vehicles over a monthly maintenance fee, you should submit a public comment about that. --- lfk.

Maybe this has already been answered, but, how do you know your transponder is broken/not working before you get to the tollbooth and get sacked with a charge for having a non-working transponder? Sounds like a trap to pay that particular fee if you ask me.

Also, I was wondering, instead of charging the in-state residents more to live and work here, why aren't these tollbooth options ever considered to solve the transportation department's financial problems since we have a lot of people passing through the state on a daily basis who aren't footing the bill as much as we are:

1.) Tollbooth on I-83 entering or leaving MD. Have you seen how many PA residents commute to work here in MD because it's cheaper to live across the stateline and work in MD than it is to live and work here? This is a potential goldmine if you ask me.

2.) Tollbooth on the MD/DE line on the road that cuts through Easton (actual number escapes me at the moment). Beach traffic on this two lane road is ridiculous, and it's everyone going to the DE beaches and tying up the roads in these rural Eastern Shore communities. You could get tons of DC area (Northern VA included) residents to pay this toll on their summer weekend getaway to Dewey, Bethany, and Rehobeth while completely avoiding OC.

3.) Tollbooth leaving the rental car lots at BWI. Boston has a tollbooth on the other side of the Big Dig tunnel after you leave Logan, which I don't think you can avoid. I think that there is a similar toll outside the Orlando airport. If this works in other areas, why not have out of towners who fly into BWI and rent a car pay a toll once they exit BWI onto I-295?

4.) Tollbooth on the MD/DE border on I-95. DE makes you pay a toll to enter and leave their state, and you're only paying for a flat road. Why not set up a tollbooth a mile into the state? The AC expressway has numerous tolls outside of AC, so many tollbooths in a few mile stretch is not uncommon. Plus, have you seen how much traffic is on I-95 from White Marsh to the MD/DE border on any given weekend? It's ridculous, and with a bunch of people from NY and NJ attending college here in MD, that's a lot of potential money when the students at the many college campuses go home for the weekends.

Bruce, the E-ZPass Maryland Web site recommends you take your transponder to a customer service center if you go through a toll booth and get a red light although your account is in good standing.

I live in Maryland and just signed up in Virginia. I'll be mailing my MD E-ZPass back as soon as my Virginia one arrives. Virginia: No fees and No deposit required. Also, even though I live in MD most of my E-ZPass usage is in VA on the Dulles Toll Road.

lfk: Please don't ask MDDOT about people signing up in other states. That will only prompt them to try to stop that from happening. Let MDDOT take the loss (most probably won't go through the time/effort to switch states) and learn from their idiotic tax and spend scheme failures. What I would like to know is how my balance is credited to me when I return the MD E-ZPass.

I agree this fee is ridiculous, but the state will do it despite your outrage because it's an easy way to raise money. How about the state instead divert some funds from that bottomless money pit known as the public schools? I must be dreaming.

I got the E-Z Pass for the convenience of when I occassionally go through a toll, if they charge a monthly maintenance fee, I, like many others will send it back.

I second Bruce's comments.

The state needs to stop thinking of ways to screw over it's own citizens and instead collect revenue from out-of-state people.

The idea for a toll on I-83 at the MD/PA line is brilliant. Only needs to be on the south-bound side. Shrewsbury-York PA is benefiting people seeking good jobs in MD, but not wanting to pay the taxes to live here. They should get taxed when entering the state. $3 southbound toll would put a huge dent in their cost recovery effort.

Similarly, the tolls at the Susquehanna should be moved to the DE state line. Again - why penalize Marylanders for driving around within the state?

This is just nuts. I don't know why this fee surprises me b/c at this point, MD is taxing and charging fees for everything. I am going to consider the registering in another state avenue for us. My husband uses his everyday to get through the tunnel so we don't want to cancel it. And the hour or more it saves us when heading to the beach each summer is well worth it. We go through Delaware since we live in Harford County so the faster lanes there make me NOT want to cancel the convenience even though these fees are STUPID.

thanks for the clarification lfk. i will keep mine, and i won't dodge the fee by going out of state-- i live in maryland and if my money is going somewhere it will be to the state I live in. I think it's a matter of the political math not matching the policy principles. It makes zerio sense in principal to punish EZ pass users, but politically it saves your bacon. Basically, it's poor statesmenship to implement this fee. CYA politics.

What about the safety issues? Connecticut eliminated all tolls after about 7 people were killed in a toll-booth caused back-up. While elimination of all tolls may be impractical, I would think EZ-:Pass use should be encouraged to reduce backups and thus enhance safety. Of course trying to satisfy the state's insatiable appetite for revenue trumps all other concerns.

Count me as another sending back two transponders if they institute this fee. Plus if I don't have an E-Z Pass I think I'll drive through the city rather than take the tunnel when going to and from Catonsville from Belair Edison (I do this maybe 20 times a year). I take the tunnel because the time I save is worth $2, but I won't save time if I'm sitting in line to pay the toll. That means they'll lose $80 of tolls.

I would pay for the transponder once if they want me to, but that means I own the piece of electronics and they can't give it to anyone else later.

I haven't seen the public health implications mentioned as of yet... all the cars sitting at toll booths without E-Z Pass, generating all of those fumes... it's a hazard for the toll booth workers, as well as the public at large. I agree with others who have commented that the fees should be charged to those who DON'T use E-Z Pass, not those who are making the wiser choice.

For those hunting down which toll agencies don't charge acct. maintenance fees, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-ZPass#Account_fees_by_agency

I hope everone on this forum has written their objections and alternate ideas to the addresses given in The Sun.

While many of you that have pointed out that indeed, it's a small amount of money to sheer audacity to pull a bait and switch and then tout how much money it will both "save" and "make" for the State is really awful. The Ehrlich administration was crucified for the "flush tax" which was added to help upgrade our rapidly decaying sewage and water infrastructure and yet here we are with MdTA claiming hardship over the costs of running an automated system. At least with raising tolls, motorists would be paying for something that they used instead of paying for something that they didn't.

Maryland: The Richest Poorest State in The Union.

Similar to other commentors, I am a casual user who will quickly turn in my transponder and close my account before I pay $1.50/month for my account. With my account set up to automatically replenish, the program is essentially "pre-paid tolls" - an interest-free loan.

The rationale to push using automated services at tolls reminds me of the origins of bank ATMs. The drive to get people to use the ATMs instead of coming into the branch itself was partly lauded as a way for banks to save money on teller salaries and benefits. Then, once ATM usage became ingrained enough, charges started appearing for ATM transactions. The ATM went from being a substitute teller to being a bank revenue generator.

In fact, my grandfather warned my family about this "drug dealer" approach to commerce with cable companies when that first arrived. When cable first started it was to provide clear signals on all channels, unlike the problems of variably fuzzy pictures via old-fashioned antennas. The cable-only channels were commercial-free, as further inducement to sign up. Once enough people got "hooked" on the service, the commercials appeared and the consumer costs have risen ever-higher. MdTA would seem to be following a similar path.

All of these models of operation bank on one thing: that people will be too set in their ways to change their behavior. Well, not me!

I encourage all who decide not to pay this tax on a tax to make an effort to pay your toll with $100 bills at every opportunity.

Here's one for you. If I would give up my MD ez/pass as a resident of O'Malleyland, and switch to the Delaware tag, would I still pay the discounted tolls in MD?

Adding this one to the list of questions! -- lfk.

Casual user of ez-pass.. Have 2.. will turn them in. Take 695 vs 95. Take Rt 1 over susquehanna or 40 toll bridge for $5 per year.
What do they do to prevent my turned in pass from being used under my credit? Do they refund my credit for unused amount.
Retired and ill health - dont travel that much....
Also not in a hurry....d

Buck White, that annual pass to cross the Hatem Bridge is going up to $10 ... --- lfk.

OK, so yeah yeah, submit your public comment to MDTA, but I'd also call Annapolis and seek a sponsor for legislation to block any changes. This approach has played out elsewhere, e.g., NY, where the TBTA EZ Pass maintenance fee was rescinded. See wikipedia:

The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority imposed a monthly account fee starting on July 1, 2005 claiming to defray the administrative costs. However, as such a fee was considered to threaten the efficiency of moving traffic faster with lower tolls, New York State Republican Senator Michael Balboni sponsored Bill S06331 to prohibit administrative service fees on E-ZPass accounts. The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority repealed the monthly account fee on June 1, 2006.

Even though I'd hate to suggest having people lose their jobs, a simple solution to the problem may be to make all tollbooths automated since the technology already exists and works fairly flawlessly through EZ-PASS. Everyone whose car is registered in MD would get a state-issued transponder when they renewed their title and tags (making that $180 dollar titling fee we currently pay a bit more reasonable). The transponder could be used to go through any MD-based tollbooths and an account statement could be sent monthly or at the end of the year, or be a added line to the state tax form. At the same time, as a bone to throw to in-state residents, they could reduce the tolls we have to pay since the state's costs would be reduced (at least in theory; in reality, that's probably a different story). All tollbooth plazas could still have lanes for EZ-PASS (for non-residents who have it), cash lanes (for non-residents and trucks who don't have EZ-PASS), and in-state transponder lanes for all other vehicles. This would be beneficial in that 1.) costs would be saved by not having to pay tollbooth operators, 2.) traffic would move fairly swiftly since people could just go right on through while the slower trucks were moved to other lanes, 3.) it would be more environmentally friendly and probably save gas since people wouldn't be lined up as long, and 4.) this whole current problem we're discussing wouldn't be an issue anymore.

I think the intent of your suggestion is good, but some people choose not to use E-ZPass because they worry about privacy issues ... yeah, that's the only downside I can think of. --- lfk.

I didn't see anything in regards to NY's monthly fee that was SMACKED DOWN by the NY legislature in 2006. When the MTA proposed this fee, the legislature won-stating this fee was unfare for those who PREPAY their tolls. The fee can be eliminated if enough people make a deal about it to your legislators, like New York. The Authority is making a lot of money off of your hard earned dollars.

Count me in as one of the E-ZPass users who are extremely unhappy about the proposed changes. I'm unhappy with the proposed monthly fee, because it will reverse adoption of E-ZPass, and the problem of non-E-ZPass users blocking the E-ZPass lanes will get even worse. Also, no one has yet said this, but the 60-day commuter "window" being shortened to 45 days will only make matters worse. If I telecommuted more than 1 day a week, travel for work, or go on a 2-week vacation (as I do every year), I will end up with unused trips. It is changes like this that make it more and more intolerable to live in this state with each passing year.

Good point, Bruce. In fact, US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters recently called for all toll collections to go electronic by 2014 (http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/3879). Not saying whether or not she's full of wind on that, but this move by Maryland doesn't seem to support the US Cabinet member's position.

I've had it since it was M-Tag. I love it. No way I'd give up EZ Pass, it's worth the extra money to get through the tolls quickly, not only the tunnels in Baltimore, but all the way to Maine. Most states already charge, so I expected this to happen sooner or later. NBD

"I think the intent of your suggestion is good, but some people choose not to use E-ZPass because they worry about privacy issues ... yeah, that's the only downside I can think of. --- lfk."

Do you really think that all the toll booth cameras cannot be accessed to determine when and where you passed through the toll plaza if you pay cash? Might take longer, but I'm sure it can and has been done.

RIE, even if the toll booth video is accessible, I'm not sure it's saved for long periods of time, whereas the E-ZPass records hang around for a very long time before they are purged. Again, that's not proof you yourself traveled through a toll booth, just that your car did, but still. If you're the kind of person who uses an aluminum foil wallet, you just avoid E-ZPass altogether. --- lfk

I disagree with Jason and Bruce. The state needs to stop screwing over ALL people, not just it's own residents. If Washington D.C. were not here, Maryland would have the same problem that N.Y., Michigan, and other tax and spend states have: People would be fleeing as quickly as reasonably possible. Try voting for reasonable people to run the state next time.

Not only should all of us flood the address with our comments, but we also should write our state officials and ask them not to support this change. I told mine they will not get my vote if they vote for this.

To find out who your elected officials are, go to mdelect.net.

My two transponders will be sent back the day this fee goes into effect unless someone is smart enough to stop it. Think of the political hay that person could make. A pol the people love! Ha!

If nothing else, at least send a quick email to: mdtatollrates@mdta.state.md.us

If the fees will cause you to cancel your MD EZ Pass account, let them know that too.

FYI, my email generated an automatic reply. Among other things, the replay says: "Your comments are now part of the public record and will be forwarded to the Authority Members for their review and consideration."

I'm don't like taxes or fees but the complaints about $1.50/month seems misplaced. I'm guessing a large percentage of responders pay considerably more than that in ATM fees. But the State's position that the monthly fee is needed to cover adiministrative costs befuddles me. Is it the State's position that staffed toll lanes are less expensive than EZ pass lanes? I wonder how much gas is saved (less CO2 emitted) from using EZ pass lanes versus staffed lanes?

ACP - I think that you're missing the point, which MANY peole spelled out. It's not the $1.50 per month that is the issue. It's quite a few things other than that. 1) The state lied about the E-ZPass to get a lot of people to sign up for it "It's free - won't cost you a thing!" Oh, now that a lot of people have signed up for the E-ZPass they are going to start charging a fee, assuming htat they won't drop it. 2) By getting an E-ZPass drivers are helping the state by allowing them to hire fewer 24 hour per day toll both workers, tool booth change maintenance people, etc. The electronics of an E-ZPass are MUCh less expensive to maintain than a mechanical change counter. The state, who E-ZPass users are helping out, now comes back and says "screw you, thanks for the help but we're now going to punish you for helping." 3) peopel who use the E-ZPass a few times per year wil have their tolls evectively doubled, tripled, or more. Personally, I would not have gotten the E-ZPass in the first place if there were fees to have it, or if fees were proposed. I know a LOT of people who have not gotten one because they **think** that there were fees. Now they know it.

The issue comes down to a dishonest Maryland state government pulling a bait and switch. If E-ZPass is such a great thing - for both the drivers and the state - then use part of the outrageous $180 vehicle registration fee to cover the costs. But, again, Maryland is truly wasting hundreds of millions of tax dollars on programs that are not needed and are designed to buy votes. It's not about paying $1.50/month, $18/year, to have an E-ZPass. It's about a corrupt, arrogant, Maryland state government who won't reign in it's out of control spending. That and the voters so ignorant as to continue to vote these corrupt politicians into office.

Steve M reminds me about the vehicle registration fee, which was doubled and more by Mr Ehrlich. People who are complaining about O'Malley should remember that...

Owning and operating a car has never been, and never will be, a right. Its a privilege that we agree to pay for in terms of injuries and lost lives (cars are the number one killer of 3-33 year olds) , fees, taxes, gas, maintenance, traffic delays and interest and principal payments. Pay to play....or don't play at all and push for better alternative transit.

For some reason, my EZ Pass was issued from New Jersey, even though I have lived in MD for 28 years. So I have been paying the Garden State's $1-a-month fee for a couple of years. If you own/drive a car, $12 or $18 more a year is insignificant. I'll drink one less beer a month. That should cover it. And one trip to toll-dense NYC to visit our son will make the cost of an EZ Pass more than worth it.

For commuters, the discounts definitely more than make up for the fee. However, for the rest of us, it doesn't make sense to pay for something that others offer for free (or less).

I agree with Caroline, Greg, and Frank. It's a good thing when the state government lies to people. It's a "privileged" that Big Brother allows us to move about the way that we do so we should be thrilled about higher fees (when we were told by the same Big Brother that there would be no fees). Wasting money on vote buying is the best thing going and should never be cut - only increased. At least this is what the people of Cuba and Russia are taught. Why shouldn't we be as good as them?!?

If you want your cheap/free E-ZPass get it through Virginia, PA ($3/year), or other states that don't charge, like many people will start doing. Let the people who want more/larger Big Government pay for their larger government. Virginia is now doing my toll collection and administration - free of charge. Thank you, Virginia!

Bankrupted by Taxes- I'm sure you've been around long enough to know that all politicians are crooked, and most are only reasonable when it benefits them most. It's a Catch-22 when you're voting for them. I voted for Ehrlich a few years ago and that got me a doubling in the fee for my car title/tags, a flush tax, and a toll road that I'll most likely never use (the ICC). This time I voted for O'Malley, and that got me a 20% sales tax increase, slots, an empty promise of lowering my electric bills, and now this. You can't win, no matter who you vote for.

The point of my first post from yesterday was that you have people, such as PA residents, riding around on our roads for free since they work here and live in PA and use I-83 as there route in and out of the state. They don't have to pay a penny to use that road whereas if I take the PA turnpike out west, I have to pay a few dollars in tolls along the way. If I go up the east side of the state to NJ, I have to pay tolls in Philly to get across the river. The same goes for most residents from up north- they only have to pay $2 to pass through Baltimore on their way south. If they take another way home, MD loses out on $7. But to get to there states, I have to pay $4 to go through DE, another $4+ to cross the Delaware River from NJ to DE on my way home, a fee to drive up the NJ turnpike in both directions or pay a handful of tolls to take the Garden State Pkwy, an assorment of ridiculous tolls around NYC, etc. etc. What I'm trying to say is that I feel that there are other ways to generate income from visitors to the state (which I tried to outline) as opposed to continually biting the hand(s) that feed them. When the tables are turned, it costs a lot out of my pocket to visit other states, should why should others get a cheaper ride when they visit MD?

It should be easy for MDOT to tell exactly how many transponder-holders are commuters and how many are occasional users by an audit of the plans billed and frequency of replenishment within accounts. Most occasional users like me will turn in their transponders to avoid monthly charges. DOT can project how much money this is likely to bring in vs. the effect on traffic.

In fact, the article states that many users are out-of-state residents who signed up for E-ZPass here to avoid fees. --- lfk.

I just got my FREE, no fees, Virginia, E-ZPass in the mail! I also went to the Maryland E-ZPass site and canceled my MD pass. I'll now mail my MD E-ZPass back, letting O'Mally know that he can stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

My vote for the new state motto:

Maryland... if you have a dream, we already have a tax on it.