Now that Maryland has joined a number of other states in requiring a deposit when signing up for the E-ZPass electronic toll system, a number of people are looking at their options. Many are simply swapping the transponder between cars when the device is needed, rather than getting two or more.
Adding to the cost of the deposit is the fact that you have to keep a balance on each unit for each account; that means tying up money that can be used for other things, such as gas. Some companies are even marketing devices to make the swap easier.
SwitchPass (switchpass.com) sells clear plastic holders that can be mounted on the windshields of cars in which you want to use the transponder.
The setup for two vehicles runs just under $10 and seems like it would work. Of course, $10 is the same amount of the refundable deposit you would put down on an additional transponder, so the only real savings is in the balance you would be required to keep on the extra device.
The big question I keep hearing is, “is it legal?” The technical answer is “no.”
I admit that I have swapped transponders for years and have two sets of those hefty Velcro strips on the windshields of two cars.
I have never hada problem, and that includes the time that the system didn’t read my transponder when using it in a friend’s car for a trip north. I simply filled out the form stating that I was an E-ZPass customer and gave my account number.
Even so, the rules on the E-ZPass Web site seem clear. They state: “If you use the Tag [the E-ZPass transponder] in a vehicle other than one that is listed your individual account application, you may incur an administrative fee of $15 for each violation; be assessed civil penalties for each violation; and/or be asked to surrender the Tag to E-ZPass.”
More about water on Metro
One more e-mail on the issue of water on Metro. Elaine writes: “While I fully respect the idea that Metro is everyone’s service and that it should be kept as clean as possible, I have to believe that there can be some reasonable exception made for drinking water during the time of extreme temperatures we’ve been experiencing. Doesn’t it sound more prudent to allow people to drink water (which is what everyone is telling you to do anyway) and possibly prevent any heat-related illness, rather than totally ban it from the system? Perhaps a blanket rule can be made that when the outside temperature reaches above 90 degrees, then water in a closed container, such as a bottle or other sealable plastic container, is allowed? Everyone encourages people to get off the road and use Metro to help relieve the cost of gas, and for environmental reasons. Let’s let people drink water on Metro for health reasons.”
Thanks, Elaine. In that water doesn’t stain, I wonder how much of the argument against it is one of safety if it spilled onto those smooth tiles on the platforms.
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