Hatem E-ZPass Available, Active on Feb. 1
The MdTA will hold open houses in Havre de Grace and Perryville in February.
Photos
The transition from the sticker to the transponder is under way at the Hatem Bridge toll plaza.
On Feb. 1, the Maryland Transportation Authority will discontinue AVI decal sales in travel lanes and begin E-ZPass sales.
Toll Lane 3 at the Hatem Bridge toll plaza switches from AVI decals only to E-ZPass only on Feb. 1.
The final day to use AVI decals is Sept. 30, 2012. Decals with a January 2012 expiration date will be valid through Feb. 29, 2012 to allow motorists to consider E-ZPass options (see below).
The MdTA will also hold community open houses in February—from 5-7 p.m. on Feb. 15 at the Havre de Grace Activity Center, and from 5-7 p.m. on Feb. 21 at Perryville High School. Snow dates are set for Feb. 22 (Havre de Grace) and Feb. 23 (Perryville).
Some other key dates, as provided by the MdTA:
- Jan. 31 » Last day for AVI Decal sales in toll plaza.
- Feb. 1 » Hatem Bridge Plans accepted at toll plaza. Hatem Bridge Plans (Choice A and B) available for purchase at Stop-in Center and by mail
- Feb. 13 » On-line enrollment available at ezpassmd.com
- Feb. 29 » Decals with January expiration valid through this date.
- Aug. 31 » Last day to purchase AVI Decal and T-series tickets.
- Sept. 30 » Last day to use AVI Decal and T-series tickets.
- Jan. 31, 2013 » Last day to receive Hatem Bridge Choice A transponders at no charge
- July 1, 2013 » Cost for Hatem Bridge Plans increases to $20 per year
E-ZPass transponders will be offered in two options:
- CHOICE A: an E-ZPass for use on the Hatem Bridge only. The annual fee is $10, with no fees, pre-paid toll deposits or account statements. The transponder is free until Jan. 31, 2013, when the price moves to $9 for a new transponder. This option is considered the "AVI equivalent" by the MdTA.
- CHOICE B: an E-ZPass valid wherever E-ZPass is accepted. This account is $10 per year for Hatem Bridge use, and includes a $25 pre-paid balance for use at other toll facilities. It is subject to a transponder charge and a monthly account fee, unless used at least three times the previous month to pay tolls in Maryland. This plan offers a 10 percent discount off the cash rate at Maryland toll plazas. It is considered the more flexible option by the MdTA.
E-ZPass transponders will be sold at the Hatem Bridge stop-in center, though motorists are advised to visit the JFK E-ZPass administration building on Turnpike Drive—easily accessible from MD Route 222 (see Mapquest map for directions).
What are your plans for crossing the Susquehanna River? Will you choose one of the E-ZPass options? Or are you considering another alternative? Tell us in the comments.
Fred Cullum
1:12 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Thank you Sean for posting this latest information. Unfortunately it appears that Havre de Grace and Perryville will continue to be subjected to the traffic from all the people coming off I-95 to cross the Susquehanna and then going back to I-95 since the issue of them, will not be limited to local residents only. One can only assume that there will be 150,000 of the E-ZPASS transponders issued just like the AVI Decals.
delarone
1:33 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
make no mistake - this cheaper price for using the e-zpass at the hatem bridge will not last - when e-zpass first came out it was initially cheaper to use where tolls were charged in Del., Va., etc. to get people to use them - then it went to full price 2 yrs later then they tacked on a fee of $1 per month for giving u your statement - other than ease of use at places like the tunnel, delaware bridge, etc. where there is lots of traffic it is not as practical as it sounds - you will end up paying the same costs as everyone else.
Take Responsibility!
7:10 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Funny, I pay .75 a trip with my EZpass, when the cash price for the tunnels and bridges in Baltimore cost $3 for the cash price...
Blake McCloud
6:11 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I do not like the fact that if you do not use it at least 3 times a month they will charge you and extra $1.50 but I guess I will just have to ride over across the bridge a little more!
Brent
8:17 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
That's provided the Hatem toll counts toward it.
Fred Cullum
4:36 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Blake, I do not believe the Hatem Bridge will be included in the 3 time a month use to qualify for the removal of the $1.50 service fee, but if all you have is the "Choice A transponder" it will not be subject to the monthy service fee anyway.
Leslie
6:16 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Does that mean those of us who already have transponders will have to get another one just for the Hatem Bridge? My transponder was purchased in NJ, in 1998. NJ E-ZPass offers senior discounts on the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Pkwy, so I'm not anxious to give it up. Has anyone discussed this issue and how it is going to be handled?
Sean Welsh
7:56 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
No, as I understand, you can add the Hatem Bridge for $10/year. -Sean
Fred Cullum
4:40 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
I doubt that you will be able to put "Choice A" on a transponder from another state, but that is a good question for you to ask, at the public information session on Feb. 15, at the Havre de Grace Activity Center.
Katie Kinlin Debbie Downer
6:23 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Whatever, this is dumb. I'll back up and drive through the toll three times and get that BS over with.
Frankie
1:28 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Since all this ez-pass is computerized, I would think they could offer a commuter flat-rate without much effort. If you buy the commuter subscription, your ez-pass account could be coded as paid & you would not incur more charges. The truth is that the MDTA wants your money & the people we elected are allowing this "highway robbery".
Dee
9:35 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Frankie,
Your are right - the MDTA, like ALL government agency's - wants our $$$!!! I disagree with what you said about the people we "elected" allowing this to happen. WE, THE PEOPLE, are allowing this to happen, as we continue to vote the bum's back in office again, and again, and again....................
Joel
6:51 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I'm confused. In a year from now is the Plan A rate $20 or $20 plus $9 transponder fee? Either way it's much much more than the $10 AVI we are paying now.
Sean Welsh
7:58 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
The transponder fee is a one-time payment to purchase the device. The device is free for the next year. If you get it now, you won't pay the $9, from what they explained to me. The annual rate—which is currently $10, just like the AVI decal—will change to $20 in 2013. -Sean
helpussomeone
3:23 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
.....$20 in 2013, probably $30 in 2014......It will never end. They'll get your money sooner or later.
Take Responsibility!
5:46 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Lots of whining here, no one was offering to pay MORE when it was only $4 a year.
Louise
9:59 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Personally, I feel that this is just another way for the GOVERNMENT to pick the citizens pockets, as usual. They treat the citizen like we are their petty cash. What's new in the political world.
Sean Welsh
12:50 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Hi everyone! We'll have a live chat today at 1 p.m. with an MdTA official chiming in on the E-ZPass transition.
http://patch.com/A-qNCN
Thanks,
Sean