Why did the Peace Bridge implement E-ZPass?
Customer service is a priority at the Peace Bridge. E-ZPass electronic toll collection is a real convenience for travelers. It eliminates the need for cash, tokens, or credit card-like swipe cards to change hands at a tollbooth. Smoother travel through toll lanes means less frustrating travel. Unlike tokens, E-ZPass is used at all toll booths.
What are the benefits of having an E-ZPass transponder?
– Convenience for travelers: To complete a toll transaction, E-ZPass eliminates the need for cash, tokens, or credit card-like swipe cards to change hands at a tollbooth. In bad weather, vehicle windows do not need to be opened to complete the toll transaction. The E-ZPass equipment in toll lanes can read transponders quickly. The toll gates at the Peace Bridge then release vehicles to travel on their way.
– Passenger accounts receive up to four FREE transponders per account.
– Lower tolls: All vehicles using E-ZPass at the Peace Bridge receive a 10% discount over the U.S. cash rate.
– Regular accounting statements include each transaction detailing time, place and cost, and are mailed or e-mailed to all E-ZPass customers. This benefit is especially useful for businesses that need to keep detailed written records of toll costs.
– Usable throughout most of the northeast U.S.: The same E-ZPass transponder is used to pay tolls at a growing number of U.S. toll agencies. New York State, Massachusetts, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, Virginia, Rhode Island, Ohio, and Indiana, are among the states that use E-ZPass presently. More are in negotiations to institute this method of toll payment.
What is Electronic Toll Collection and E-ZPass?
Electronic toll collection, referred to as "ETC", is a proven method of toll collection that eliminates the need for cash, tokens, or credit card-like swipe cards to change hands at a tollbooth. Instead, vehicles are equipped with a small electronic device, called a transponder or tag, that transmits both vehicle and account information through a reader located in a toll lane equipped with the technology. Data is then processed and the appropriate toll is debited from the customer's established prepaid account.
Toll agencies in New York State, Massachusetts, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, Virginia, Rhode Island, Ohio, and Indiana are working cooperatively to make the ETC process called "E-ZPass" work conveniently for travelers throughout the Northeast U.S. Their organization is called the Interagency Group (IAG) and meets regularly to discuss issues and promote the E-ZPass program. The Peace Bridge Authority's Board of Directors voted in May, 1999 to join the IAG and work together to increase the convenience for travelers by instituting E-ZPass at the Peace Bridge.
Will I be able to use my NYS Thruway transponder to pay tolls at the Peace Bridge?
Current E-ZPass customers from all other toll agencies such as the NYS Thruway Authority are able to use their transponders at the Peace Bridge to pay their toll. Passenger customers do not need to do anything to use their existing E-ZPass transponder at the Peace Bridge to pay their tolls. Commercial account holders must have pre-paid E-ZPass accounts in order for their transponders to be read by lane equipment at the Peace Bridge.
What are the differences with using E-ZPass here at the Peace Bridge compared with the other E-ZPass toll agencies?
Virtually nothing. The transponders from any E-ZPass toll agency use the same technology, only the E-ZPass applications differ. Many of the other toll agencies using E-ZPass do not have gates like at the Peace Bridge that are raised after each toll transaction is completed. Toll gates will remain in use at the Peace Bridge. When toll transactions are electronically registered, the gates will then raise to release vehicles so they can continue.
How does E-ZPass work and how is a toll transaction paid?
As mentioned above, vehicles are equipped with a small electronic device, called a transponder or tag, that transmits both vehicle and account information through a reader located in a toll lane equipped with the technology. Data is then processed and the appropriate toll is debited from the customer's established prepaid account. All lanes on the Peace Bridge toll plaza are equipped to read E-ZPass transponders with some lanes dedicated to only E-ZPass customers.
Is this the same transponder that is used near Toronto to pay tolls?
Highway 407 and E-ZPass use the same transponder technology, however, it is NOT the same toll collection system. Agreements are not established which would allow for travel on Highway 407 using E-ZPass for the toll collection, or for travel on an E-ZPass toll agency's roads & bridges using a Highway 407 transponder for toll collection.
How do I contact the Peace Bridge E-ZPass Customer Service Center?
- All correspondence (except if related to an account closure) and payments to fund your account should be mailed to:
E-ZPass Customer Service Center
IL1-6227
PO Box 2015
Elgin, IL 60121-2015
- All account closures and defective or damaged tags should be mailed to:
E-ZPass Customer Service Center
PO Box 30078
Tampa, FL 33630-3078
- To contact the Customer Service Center by phone:
Call toll-free to 1-866-522-6080
- To contact the Customer Service Center by fax:
Call toll-free to 1-866-522-6088
