E-Z Pass on the way.

[Zee]

I have four transponders which I got thru NJ several years ago. No charge for the transponders, I must leave $15.00 on deposit from which they draw down the tolls. This automatically replenishes from my credit card. I do have to pay a $1.00 monthly fee for "maintenance". That fee is in total, not for each transponder. That fee is worth it to be able to get through the tolls quicker for my weekend travel back and forth since I hit both Hooksett and Bedford. I just hope there will still be some kind of discount. I will miss the 50% discount on the tokens.

[gtxrider]

I hope the EZPASS is in the same lane at every toll plaza. The Rocket Surgeons that did the Garden State Parkway have no system for EZPASS. It would make sense to have them in the LEFT (FAST) Lane but no. The EZPASS lanes are not laid out in a consistant fashion. My normal ride on the GSP goes through 3 Toll Plazas and none are the same.

Caution: Watch out for the drivers that cannot/do not read signs they will drive up to an EZPASS Booth and then decide that it is not where they want to be and make a sudden turn. No signals.

I do like the EZPASS especially in bad weather it keeps the rain, snow, slush, etc...outside the vehicle.

[luna]

Ditto Grant! I'm in Jenkintown, PA and curse those New Hampshire tolls every time I have to dig for quarters. This is very good news indeed!

[Rattlesnake Gal]

The state will begin opening the first E-ZPass lanes Memorial Day.
State transportation officials want to eliminate tokens at turnpike tollbooths once the state installs the fast-lane E-ZPass program by Labor Day.

New Hampshire moving to E-ZPass toll system - Fosters Online

[BroadHopper]

According to this article it is possible that the discounts may apply to residents only. They expect to raise an additional 4 miilion.

http://www.theunionleader.com/articl...?article=50946

[upthesaukee]

Here is part of the article RG referenced from Foster's regarding NH Resident discounts only:

Rep. John Graham, R-Bedford, said that in addition to eliminating tokens, his bill would have given the E-ZPass discount only to New Hampshire residents but federal court decisions have rendered that preference unconstitutional and Graham asked that it be struck from his bill.

Leave it to the press to get things messed up.

[fatlazyless]

Let's see, traveling from Boston to Lake Winnipesaukee on Route 93, you pass through just the one toll in Hooksett, NH. It costs 75 cents, however if you buy a roll of NH highway tokens for five dollars the 75 cent toll is discounted to 37 1/2 cents. For five bucks, you get a roll of 40 tokens, each one a legal and welcome alternative to a quarter so for five bucks you get the equivalent of ten dollars of quarters.

Each token has a silhouette of NH's granite icon, albeit now deceased, the famous "Olde Man of the Mountain', plus it says "Live Free or Die." About ten years ago, Governor Merrill had the 'New Jersey' barricade gates removed from the tolls and set out huge potted flowers between each toll station because NH is all about flowers and not security gates.

Why would anyone want to replace or do away with the tokens? They are sort of a collector's item what with the Old Man, the State motto, and the low, 50% off, bargain basement price.

[Lakegeezer]

We just have to wait for the state to decide what its going to do and let us know - then the decisions will be easy.

1. If they keep the token system and don't give ez-pass discounts - we stick with tokens (for us, about $150/year savings).
2. If they give only NH purchased EZ-pass the discount, we buy a NH EZ-pass.
3. If every EZ-pass gets a discount, we get the box from NY state (who doesn't sell it for $30 like NH wants to do, but just takes a deposit)
4. If there is no discount and tokens are discontinued - we complain a lot and go with option 3.

The real winners will be those who have to go through the Hampton tolls on weekend. The EZ-pass will reduce their wait - for the rest, its just saves a few seconds and you don't have to hunt for tokens or roll down your window.

[BroadHopper]

LG. Try the Hooksett toll on a Friday, late afternoon to early evening. It takes more than a few seconds. Those that come up Rte 3 and pass the Bedford toll at that time gets to wait even longer. Sometimes it is quicker to take 3A through Hooksett, Bow.

[BroadHopper]

The house voted down any discounts.

http://www.thewmurchannel.com/news/4268635/detail.html

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

The house voted down any discounts.

So when do they stop selling tokens and when do they stop accepting tokens already sold ?

[Island Girl]

As I said before, this is just a tax increase... from the live free or die state.

[jonr]

[QUOTE=BroadHopper]The house voted down any discounts.

That's not true. The house voted to eliminate the discount for tokens (which cost $750,000 a year to handle).

The fiscal note to the bill passed yesterday - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legi...05/HB0604.html -
clearly assumes a 50% discount will apply to EZ-pass. But it is up to the governor and council not the legistlature to set toll discounts. See RSA 237:11 V - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...237/237-11.htm

Not that the second change made in HB 604 only allows the discount for "in-state accounts" and not "out-of-state accounts".

Of course the Senate needs to act before any of this is real.

As far as when this might apply, HB 604 has an effective date of Jan 1 2006.

[Merrymeeting]

Does anyone know when they might start turning this on or selling passes? All the equipment seems to be in place at the tolls and given use in many other states, the systems and software should be ready. I'm guessing the only holdups now are political and bureaucratic.

I'll be making a long trip down the east coast in about a month. Ideally, I'd like to have a pass to use on this trip. I've been holding off buying a pass awaiting an announcement by NH on rates and availablilty.

Has anyone heard anything official on this other than the recent House vote on the tokens?

[mcdude]

Some PRIVACY CONCERNS worry potential E-Z Pass users.

[Merrymeeting]

As suspected, delays look to be mostly political/bureaucratic...

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll...S0202/50324093

[SPANKY]

anybody know how will this system work for those pulling trailers? will you be required to use the regular lanes? after reading the article in the previous posts link. it seems as though there will probably be no discount for users. i think i'm starting to like the idea of keeping the 50% of with the tokens!

[Major problem]

The tolls are counted by the number of axles. When you sign up for EZ-Pass you indicate the toll class so you get charged the appropriate amount. The system can't adjust for when you add a trailer so you can't use the EZ-Pass lane when towing.

[BroadHopper]

Right now, I was able to use the tokens for my vehicle then pay for the tandem axles with govt coins. I don't think that was a bad deal. It looks like I will be paying the full amount if they eliminate the tokens.

[PaulS]

I've had E-ZPass for years. I was once towing a trailer through the I-87 tolls in Brooklyn, and I was charged for 3 axles instead of 2. Not sure how the system knew, but it did...

[Blue Thunder]

The new EZ Pass system just activated on the Maine Turnpike allows for the towing of your boat or trailer. The system just counts the axles and charges your account accordingly. You will find that whatever state you purchase your EZ Pass in will offer discounts for that state only. I believe I get slight discounts for Maine but not Mass or NH.

BT

[Major problem]

This info from masspike.com

" Q. Can I use the transponder I purchased for my car to tow a trailer?
You may use the transponder from your passenger vehicle to tow a trailer providing that you list the trailer plate number on your FAST LANE account. FAST LANE will automatically count the number of axles and charge your account accordingly. Outside of Massachusetts, you will need to go through a multi-mode lane (one that accepts both cash and E-ZPass) in order for the toll attendant to reclassify your tag for that toll transaction. You may also purchase a second transponder (VRC for the total number of axles) to keep going through an electronic lane. Remember to keep one of the transponders in a foil pouch to prevent it from reading if you have both of the tags with you. "


I think you weren't allowed to do that when I first got mine. Apparently that has changed.

[Blue Thunder]

I know most of you guys will be using the NH system, but the Maine system is probably using the latest technology so it counts the axles and determines the class of vehicle you are driving. I'll have to see after the first time I do it!
Looks like it might be state specific.

From www.maineturnpike.com:

Q: Occasionally, I tow a camper, boat or other trailer. May I still use my E-ZPass when I do?

A: Yes, you may use your Maine Turnpike E-ZPass tag to pay tolls on the Maine Turnpike when you tow a trailer. Maine's new E-ZPass system has the ability to identify the size and class of your vehicle as it travels through the toll plaza. The system then deducts the appropriate toll from your prepaid balance. However, before you use your Maine Turnpike E-ZPass when towing a trailer on other E-ZPass facilities, be sure to check with those other E-ZPass agencies.

BT

[Merrymeeting]

I went through the Rt 3 toll booth this morning at about 8. They had a few northbound lanes closed, with trucks loaded with what looked like new signs parked nearby, and they were working on one of the booths.

At least they are getting ready!

[SIKSUKR]

Hooksett as well has new signs posted and brand new camaras facing at your license plate should you decide to not pay. SS