The Virginia Department of Transportation has announced its long awaited fee structure for the E-Z Pass automated toll system. It's a little confusing; it took me three readings this morning to figure it all out. Here are the details.
E-Z Pass transponders (the little devices in your car that are read by automated toll gantries), if acquired after July 9th, 2012, will include a 50-cents per month access fee.
E-Z Pass Flex transponders, for use in Northern Virginia on I-495 Express Lanes and future I-95 Express Lanes, will cost $1.00 per month if acquired after July 9th, 2012. There is no monthly fee if used exclusively in HOV-3 mode.
If, on July 9th, 2012, you already had an E-Z Pass transponder , there will be no monthly access fee UNLESS you replace the transponder you have or need a second one for another vehicle.
The $25.00 deposit will no longer be required for new transponders.
The new fee structure takes effect September 1st, 2012.
Why is V-DOT now charging a fee every month for E-Z Pass? The fees will pay for the cost of expanding the system, which is expected to double in the next few years. New toll roads, like the Jordan Bridge in Portsmouth and the I-495 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia, will open this year, while tolls will begin on the Midtown and Downtown Tunnels in 2014. There will no toll booths at these facilities. Tolls will be collected exclusively with E-Z Pass.
On the web:
http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/statewide/2012/vdot_announces_e-zpass_fee58773.asp
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