Rooney/Bramnick E-Z Pass bill protecting commuters wins committee approval

TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly Transportation Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney and Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick that protects New Jersey’s E-Z Pass customers from being overcharged when using bridges and tunnels into New York.

The legislation is in response to an AAA study that found drivers who purchased E-Z Pass tags from out of state agencies are being charged the cash rate instead of the discount rate at New York bridges and tunnels operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Between 2012 and 2016, of the 92 million out-of-towners who didn’t receive the discount rate, 70 million were New Jersey drivers.

“One of the primary reasons E-Z Pass was created was to offer drivers discounted rates, but we know certain drivers are being given preferential treatment only because their E-Z Pass was issued by a New York agency,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “This bill is an effort to level the playing field for our commuters and ensure the integrity of the E-Z Pass system.”

The bill (A1002) directs the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to update its website to warn New Jersey E-Z Pass customers that discounts at out-of-state toll facilities may not be applicable to New Jersey E-Z Pass customers.

“Millions of New Jersey drivers are being unfairly penalized,” said Bramnick (R-Union). “EZ-Pass discounted rates should apply equally to all drivers regardless of where they purchased their pass.”