Another nail:"E-ZPASS TO DEBUT ON SR-1; NEW ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM
Will Make Paying Tolls On Delaware State Route
1 Quick and Convenient
Business Editors
DOVER, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 1999--Paying tolls will
now be easier for motorists on Delaware State Route 1 (SR-1) with the
introduction of E-ZPass, the country's most innovative electronic toll
collection (ETC) system, which brings traveling convenience and
efficiency to Delaware's newest highway.
"We are excited that E-ZPass will allow motorists on SR-1 to
experience more convenient, trouble-free commutes," said Delaware Lt.
Gov. Ruth Ann Minner. "With the success of E-ZPass on the I-95
Delaware Turnpike, we expect that motorists will welcome the reduced
stress and increased efficiency at toll plazas and ramps that this
innovative, high-tech system brings to SR-1."
The kickoff of E-ZPass on SR-1 comes after the successful
launches of E-ZPass on I-95 Delaware Turnpike and the Atlantic City
Expressway (ACE) in November 1998. Since the introduction of E-ZPass
on these two roads, the Regional Consortium Customer Service Center
has opened more than 33,000 new E-ZPass accounts and issued more than
62,000 tags.
"We are extremely pleased with the number of motorists who want
to experience the ease and convenience E-ZPass has to offer," said
Edward Gross, Executive Director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
"We believe the E-ZPass system will enjoy that same kind of popularity
with motorists on SR-1."
What is E-ZPass?
The E-ZPass electronic toll collection technology is a proven,
accurate, and reliable system and has been well received by motorists
using the roads and bridges in Delaware, New Jersey, and New York,
particularly in the New York City metropolitan area and the New York
State Thruway. E-ZPass eliminates the need for cash, tickets, or
tokens. Instead, as motorists drive through E-ZPass toll lanes, an
overhead antenna reads account information from an electronic "tag"
affixed in their vehicle, automatically deducting the toll from their
prepaid account. E-ZPass motorists are able to pass through toll lanes
without ever rolling down their windows to manually pay tolls.
The Regional Consortium, a group of five Northeast tolling
authorities, successfully introduced E-ZPass on the I-95 Delaware
Turnpike and the Atlantic City Expressway in November 1998. The New
Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway are scheduled to launch
E-ZPass on their facilities in the year 2000, making this ETC
implementation project the largest deployment of an electronic toll
collection system in the world.
The Consortium's E-ZPass program is compatible with all existing
and future E-ZPass installations in the Northeast region, making it a
truly seamless transportation solution. (E-ZPass will initially not be
compatible with M-Tag, the new Maryland ETC program slated to go
online this month, but it is expected to be fully compatible with all
E-ZPass agencies by the end of the year). With one account, E-ZPass
motorists may use toll facilities wherever they see the E-ZPass sign.
E-ZPass Replaces Current SR-1 Programs
E-ZPass will replace the toll ticket program and the debit card
program on SR-1 as of midnight April 30, 1999. With E-ZPass, SR-1
motorists will experience the ease of this high-tech ETC system and
continue to enjoy the benefits of the Delaware Department of
Transportation (DelDOT) commercial discount programs.
Unused toll tickets can be redeemed for a full refund. The
tickets must be mailed, along with the contact person's name and
telephone number, mailing address where the refund check should be
sent, and the motorist's tax identification number (federal
identification number) to Delaware Department of Transportation,
Division of Highway Operations, Attn: Ticket Redemption, 1200 Whitaker
Road, Newark, Del. 19702.
Bigger Savings, More Convenience for HOV Members
E-ZPass will also offer greater convenience and savings to DelDOT
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) members in addition to the discounts they
already enjoy. Beginning May 1, 1999, current HOV Membership Cards
will be replaced with the E-ZPass tag that motorists install in their
windshields. HOV motorists must stop at a staffed SR-1 toll lane and
allow the toll attendant to verify the number of occupants in the car.
An antenna will then read the E-ZPass tag and apply the HOV discounted
fare to the motorist's E-ZPass prepaid account.
HOV members must use E-ZPass starting May 1 to continue enjoying
discounts of 50 percent or more. HOV members must use staffed toll
booths and complete 20 trips per 30-day period on SR-1 between
midnight Sundays and 7 p.m. Fridays. HOV members who do not take the
required number of trips for the HOV SR-1 Discount Program will be
debited the full fare for all trips taken.
DelDOT will mail a refund for any remaining balance in the
motorist's current HOV Membership Card account.
How to Apply for E-ZPass
Applications are available by calling 888/AUTO-TOLL
(888/288-6865), from toll collectors at certain facilities, or by
visiting the Customer Service Centers. Motorists with existing E-ZPass
accounts do not have to open a new one for use on Regional Consortium
roadways. Applications also are available on the E-ZPass Web site at
www.EZPass.com and from E-ZPass mobile vans that will travel to easily
accessible sites, such as service areas, events, and major area
employer locations.
Regional Consortium Members
Members of the Regional Consortium include the Delaware
Department of Transportation, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, South
Jersey Transportation Authority (operator of the Atlantic City
Expressway), New Jersey Highway Authority (operator of the Garden
State Parkway), and Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. The
Regional Consortium is a subset of the E-ZPass Interagency Group,
which consists of 12 toll authorities in Delaware, New Jersey, New
York, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, committed to bringing
E-ZPass convenience to their states.
Project Contractors
The prime contractor for the Consortium E-ZPass contract is MFS
Network Technologies, based in Omaha, Neb. The Chase Manhattan Bank
operates the customer service centers.
--30--KM/np* JS/np
CONTACT: Delaware Department of Transportation
Michele Ackles, External Affairs, DelDOT
Mike Williams, External Affairs, DelDOT
800/652-5600 or 302/760-2080
www.state.de.us/deldot
KEYWORD: DELAWARE
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TRANSPORTATION
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