Inquirer Editorial: Easier passes

The dizzying variation in toll charges levied on motorists whose cars all seem to carry the same E-ZPass transponder is becoming more than an annoyance.

It's evolving into a significant consumer-fairness issue that is getting worse as some of the 24 agencies that issue E-ZPasses alter their pricing schemes to favor the motorists with their devices.

It's simply unfair when cars entering the same E-ZPass lanes on the New Jersey Turnpike or to cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge are charged different fees. As for consumer-friendly, out-of-area drivers have absolutely no recourse to challenge rates that are solely the purview of the various tolling agencies.

With summer travel heating up, it's at least good to see AAA Mid-Atlantic squawking about the E-ZPass price fluctuations. The motorists' organization rightly argues that every E-ZPass customer should benefit from whatever discount is afforded other drivers.

That's the commonsense rule on some toll roads, such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike. So it's hardly an alien concept.

The association of E-ZPass agencies can continue to say it has no power to enforce price parity, but the group does have a bully pulpit. It should use its clout as a representative of all E-ZPass customers to convince toll-road and bridge authorities that it's in their long-term best interest to cut out the special deals for their respective E-ZPass subscribers.

As the special deals proliferate, motorists will be confused as to which E-ZPass issuer to get their transponder from. Some may even decide the annoyance outweighs the convenience of paying tolls electronically, and bypass the system altogether. That wouldn't be good for anyone.

From both a pollution and congestion standpoint, it's best to have as many motorists as possible use the transponders on E-ZPass toll roads and bridges. That's why state transportation officials should enter the discussion and lobby for electronic tolling policies that treat all customers fairly.