Can anybody explain West Virginia’s strange EZPass system to me?

Question

I recently moved from Little Rock, AR to Charleston, WV for my new job. I use the West Virginia Turnpike frequently, and I was considering signing-up for EZPass, but when I looked at the West Virginia Turnpike's EZPass program on the internet, it seemed kind of strange. They want you to pay a flat fee of $285.00 and then you can use the Turnpike on an unlimited basis for the next 12 months. I’ll never use the turnpike enough in a year’s time to get my $285.00 back. It would be cheaper for me to pay for my tolls with cash. I thought the way the system worked was that you used your credit/debit card to put money in your EZPass account, and then your account would be debited for each toll. Is there anyway to set up a simple EZPass debit account?

Answer 1

I do not know anything about W.Virginia system, But I believe that the EZPass was set up to save you time, by not having to stop in a line to pay you toll by cash. If you use the pike 2 times a day, 5 day a week, 50 weeks a year, that 500 trip on the pike and you think you can do better then 285.00 and do not have to fumble with money and stop to pay a toll, then just do it. and if you want you can still pay by debit card and make payment to the card company, if you like paying interest too.

Answer 2

No one can explain West Virginia's anything.....haven't you seen "Deliverance"?

Answer 3

Michael is right, you should just get your EZPass tag from another state.

Answer 4

One summer we were invited to Maine and quickly saw the benefits of EZ Pass on the New Jersey Turnpike.  Then last summer we rented a high rise ocean front condo in Ocean City Maryland and made it a point to sign up for the Virginia EZ Pass on-line bec I didn't want to be standing in any line at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and if my memory is correct, I had to simply pay $35 or so and link it to I have a credit card or checking account and like a week later the Transponder came free of charge in the mail.

Since then the ONLY SURPISE has been that occasionally I have had to use the Dulles Access Roads around Dulles Airport that go west in your direction toward Leesburg VA and surprisingly a one way toll is like $3.50 whereas the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is I believe only $2.50.  Many people commute as far out as West Virginia into Metro DC for jobs that if I were in your shoes I would call Virginia EZ Pass as a better EZ Pass Alternative telling them you just took a job in DC...

Hope the Above Info Helps and Best of Luck!

Answer 5

The way the West Virginia E-ZPass system makes you prepay for an entire year is stupid. I've lived here for eleven years and I don't understand it myself. (It also should be noted that their website is garbage.) All of the other agencies in the E-ZPass network operate with the "simple debit account" that you are talking about.

You are not required to maintain your E-ZPass account with an agency in your home state. You can open an E-ZPass account with any agency, and use the transponder on any E-ZPass toll facility. I have my E-ZPass account with the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You could also try the  Maryland Transportation Authority.

Pennsylvania

http://www.paturnpike.com/ezpass/persona...

Maryland

http://www.ezpassmd.com/static/signup/in...

Wikipedia E-ZPass Article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-ZPass