Tollway Transponders / I-pass / EZ-pass

Contrary to most, I love Tollways! Most people don't understand Tollways. Most interstate highway projects are 80% federally funded and 20% funded by the local government. That means that 80% of that local highway is funded by ALL taxpayers across the country. Local governments have to wait for federal approval and dollars to build a highway. Tollways are different, they are only 20% federally funded, that means that taxpayers are not paying the majority of the funding for a highway that is not even in their area! The 20% they do pay is for federally mandateded safety features. The tolls pay for the other 80% of construction, maint., rebuilds etc. Tollways do not have to wait for the government to give them funds for upkeep, improvements and new construction. They can do this whenever they have the money. For example people living in California do not have to pay 80% for a Tollway in Illinois. On the other hand Illinois tax dollars do help pay for Freeways in California. I use the Illinois Tollway system everyday. I have no problem paying a tax for something I use. I don't feel some one else should pay for something they don't use. Tollways put the majority of the taxes on the people that use them. If you don't like tollways please stay off of them.....more room for me!

 

You'll like em till they do like round here and get DEDICATED LEO's for the tollway, kidna defeats the purpose if ya ask me, and you can guarandamntee part of your toll is going to pay their salary, cars, equipment, etc etc. So now you're paying to use the road, and paying to be pulled over on the road your paying extra for, then you get to pay the ticket and deal with points. Crock if ya ask me, I absolutely refuse to use it. Now toll roads outside of my state are fine and I flog the hell outta them!!!

 

Also :focus: sorry.................our EZPASS system has your tag registered to the transponder, so if it's dead they still know what account to charge it too. Or if you don't have one they know who to send the bill to. I wouldn't worry too much about it being able to read if your systems are set up like ours are.

 

We are going through all the e-tolling drama here in SA (In Johannesburg for now, but if they can get it right there the rest of the country will end up doing it). I don't know the exact details but the problem seems to be that existing routes that have always been used are now tolled, without much thought to alternative routes . In typical SA fashion, the government spent the billions putting up the gantries ect, THEN realised they had a shit storm on their hands with protests and legal battles from the people, so the whole system has sat idle for the past couple of years :crazy:

 

I still like the idea of paying for something only when I use it. Our Tollways are patrolled by Illinois State Troopers. They are pretty fair and only pull you over if you are doing something stupid. I have passed many at 10 over and never have a problem. Around Chicago the limit is 55 and nobody does less than 65. Stay with traffic and never get a ticket! Weave from lane to lane....your on your own!

 

Yeah state troopers I understand, but the ICC (MD200 if you're interested) actually has it's own dedicated police force, rediculous!

 

to maggot i use the tollway here in il i live about 30 miles from the city, the ipass is registered to your car, I've never had my ipass om my bike they have a plate number on file and can charge you from that. i havye never gotten a ticket in the mail from them.

 

put it under the seat, in a baggie. Stays dry, and should read. If not, register your plate with it and even if it doesn't read, then they track your plate and you won't be penalized. Just make sure it can't fall out.

 

I have 4 I-Passes. 2 for Cars and 2 for Bikes. Yes, they all get registered to one account. Yes, if your I-Pass doesn't register when you go through they look at your plate and charge your account. I was told a long time ago that they still want the I-Pass on the vehicle. It costs them a lot more money to look up the plate and bill your account. They don't mind doing it occasionally, but repeated trips through, without the pass, is supposed to trigger a letter and possibly a fine.

Now here is the good news. If you have any trouble and show up at the Tollway Office in Downers Grove. They always give you the benefit of the doubt. My son never used the I pass and never registered his plates and thought he could just use the Tollway for free. He was sent three fines totalling about $110. Since my office was close to their office I went there with all the info to pay the fines and get him an I-Pass. The Lady was so nice behind the counter, she waved the fines and charged me just for the missed tolls and the deposit for the new pass. My total bill was about $20. I was so thrilled I offered to buy her lunch. She said she couldn't!

I told my son I got a reduction but I never told him the actual amount. Needless to say I got my money back and then some!