Smart Tag to merge with E-ZPass on Oct. 27

Oct. 22, 2004

Beginning Oct. 27, Smart Tag, Virginia’s electronic toll collection system, will be part of the E-ZPass network. Now, Smart Tag users can cruise past tollbooths from Virginia to Massachusetts without fumbling for change or waiting in long lines. Out of town E-ZPass users will also be able to travel most of Virginia’s toll roads as Virginia’s facilities are brought on line earlier than expected beginning on Oct. 27.

"Joining E-ZPass will allow for seamless travel in the Northeast corridor," said VDOT Commissioner Philip Shucet.

Beginning Oct. 27, Smart Tag, Virginia’s electronic toll collection system, will be part of the E-ZPass network. Now, Smart Tag users can cruise past tollbooths from Virginia to Massachusetts without fumbling for change or waiting in long lines. Out of town E-ZPass users will also be able to travel most of Virginia’s toll roads as Virginia’s facilities are brought on line earlier than expected beginning on Oct. 27.

"Joining E-ZPass will allow for seamless travel in the Northeast corridor," said VDOT Commissioner Philip Shucet. "Virginia is making it as easy as possible for motorists to go wherever their trips may take them, whether it’s to work, school or traveling along the East Coast."

E-ZPass is accepted in West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts. It will be accepted in Illinois, New Hampshire and Maine next year.

Smart Tag users do not have to make any changes to begin using their Smart Tags on E-ZPass toll roads. Motorists who have both Smart Tag and E-ZPass transponders need to remove one of them to avoid charges to both accounts. Commercial vehicles with dual wheels, more than two axles and weighing more than 7,000 pounds that travel to New York need to exchange their white Smart Tag transponder for a blue one because motor carriers in New York are required to have blue ones.

The Pocahontas Parkway and the Richmond Metropolitan Authority will integrate with E-ZPass at a later date. The Richmond authority is still recovering from damage caused by Tropical Storm Gaston, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported, and will probably not be ready to integrate with E-ZPass until mid-2005. Pocahontas Parkway should begin accepting E-ZPass by the end of the year.

In Virginia, there are more than 495,000 active Smart Tags and 10.5 million electronic toll transactions a month. During peak hours, 75% of all toll transactions are Smart Tag transactions. With Smart Tag, motorists do not need to stop and pay cash to travel through toll facilities. A transponder mounted on the inside of the windshield automatically deducts the toll from a pre-paid account.

Sponsored Recommendations

The Science Behind Sustainable Concrete Sealing Solutions

Extend the lifespan and durability of any concrete. PoreShield is a USDA BioPreferred product and is approved for residential, commercial, and industrial use. It works great above...

Powerful Concrete Protection For ANY Application

PoreShield protects concrete surfaces from water, deicing salts, oil and grease stains, and weather extremes. It's just as effective on major interstates as it is on backyard ...

Concrete Protection That’s Easy on the Environment and Tough to Beat

PoreShield's concrete penetration capabilities go just as deep as our American roots. PoreShield is a plant-based, eco-friendly alternative to solvent-based concrete sealers.

Proven Concrete Protection That’s Safe & Sustainable

Real-life DOT field tests and university researchers have found that PoreShieldTM lasts for 10+ years and extends the life of concrete.