VDOT Weighing Monthly Fee for E-ZPass

Virginia E-ZPass, the Department of Transportation program that gives automatic transponders to motorists to speed up travel at toll booths, is considering a $1 monthly fee to cover administrative and operations costs.

In an e-mail to E-ZPass customers, program administrators said the number of users is expected to double over the next several years as new toll roads open. The fee will help cover administrative and operations costs.

"VDOT has the utmost understanding that E-ZPass operations brings
convenience and efficiency to toll operations. E-ZPass allows for electronic toll collection at Virginia toll facilities and lessens the need for manual collection," the email said. "However, there is a cost to providing the service to the participating toll facilities, most of which are not operated by VDOT."  

The proposed monthly fee would cover costs for: Buying nearly one-half million transponders; implementing a retail program where transponders can be obtained at various stores in Northern Virginia and eventually Hampton Roads; providing service at select DMV locations; upgrading information technology to accommodate the expanded program; account management and processing of toll transactions (managing billing of all transactions); customer service and the operations of three customer service centers.

VDOT is accepting comments on the proposed monthly fee through June 12 at 5 p.m. It expects to have a decision later in June.

All comments will be reviewed and taken into consideration prior to the final decision on the proposed fee structure, VDOT said.

To comment: Go to www.virginiadot.org/e-zpass or submit
your comments directly to vdotinfo@vdot.virginia.gov. Or, mail them to: Office Communications ­Third Floor/Annex Bldg. Virginia Department of Transportation, 1401 E. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23219