Large Number Of Tri-State Residents Do Not Use E-ZPass; Question Is Why?

11
>>Follow Matzav On Whatsapp!<<

ezpass-smallNew York – Call it a cash crunch. Despite access to E-ZPass, a sizable percentage of drivers have not signed on, and are content sitting in long lines, and paying full fare, reports CBS 2’s John Slattery.

We’ve all seen them – the motorists in the cash lanes.

“I don’t understand why they don’t have it,” one driver said.

And those who have E-ZPass typically make better time.

“That’s the best thing about it. I don’t have to wait in line,” another driver said.

With the E-ZPass lanes oftentimes wide open, don’t you wonder who those cash-only drivers are? And why they resist the convenience? Scott Koen lives in New Jersey and drives to New York City every day.

“No, I don’t,” Koen said, when asked if he has E-ZPass. “I should have it. I’ve always wanted to get it. I don’t have it yet. I have no excuses.”

Slattery heard other excuses, including one driver who said he was driving his employer’s car and needs to always get receipts.

The plastic pass requires an account with a cash balance from a credit card. One driver flatly said he didn’t want it, but his reasoning was uninformed.

“It’s too expensive,” he said.

The fact is, with E-ZPass you get a discount. A $6.50 fare is reduced to $4.80 with E-ZPass.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said out of its 25 million monthly transactions at nine bridges and tunnels, 20 percent were cash. The Port Authority said 25 percent are cash, instead of the electronic device, at its crossings.

“I can’t figure why they don’t have it,” another driver said.

And of course another reason some drivers might opt for paying cash is the fear that Big Brother is watching their every move.

For more than a month now, E-ZPass has been selling electronic tags in cash lanes at the Henry Hudson Bridge. The so-called “on the go” tags can be purchased with up to $30 worth of tolls if linked to a credit card.

{WCBS TV/Matzav.com Newscenter}


11 COMMENTS

  1. At least by the GWB, some people wait in line because they are signed up for the carpool rate which needs to be inputted by a human.

  2. Big Brother is the main reason I don’t have easy pass. Also I don’t travel that much and I when I do I usually avoid rush hour and never have too wait too long to pay cash. I keep dollar coins and quarters and dimes readily available so I don’t have to wait on line for change either.

  3. It’s very simple, those with 3 or more people want to get the large discount offered only with EZ PASS, and are forced to go through the cash toll booths with EZ Pass. Maybe one day they’ll get an automated system to sense the amount of occupants in car!

  4. #4, there are plenty of tolls that do not offer car pool discounts, ie, Henry Hudson, Triboro, battery tunnel, and lots more, yet you see cash lanes full

  5. Aside from Big Brother, there are monthly charges for the convenience. If you don’t use it very often, that further discourages use.

  6. Reply to #7 –

    There are NO monthly charges if you receive their statements by email and not by regular mail. I don’t even own a car, and I use EZPass only a few times a year, and it’s definitely worth it.

  7. #7 (D): You can avoid all monthly fees by ordering your EZPass from NY State Call Center (MTA) and use a mailing address in NYC (and of the 5 boroughs.)

  8. I think that some people do not want their life to be public. that everyone knows your whereabouts. There has been cases that EZ pass8 has been used to investigate a crime.

    fear of police state.

Leave a Reply to D Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here