On Friday, January 1, 2021, standard Video Toll rates resume statewide at all Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) toll facilities. The MDTA reminds motorists that getting an E-ZPass® gives them access to the lowest tolls in Maryland on every trip. Transponders are free, there’s no monthly fee for Maryland addresses, and sign-up is available 24/7 at ezpassmd.com.
Marylanders are asked to travel for essential trips only, but can pick up an E-ZPass while shopping at participating Giant Food Stores and Weis Markets by visiting the Customer Service Desk and asking for E-ZPass On the Go. The transponder comes with $25 in prepaid tolls for immediate use, then customers can sign up online to save with E-ZPass all year long. A full list of retail locations is available at ezpassmd.com/en/onthego/locations.shtml.
On March 17, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 emergency, the MDTA went to all-electronic tolling, temporarily paused processing and mailing Notices of Toll Due (NOTDs), adjusted the standard Video Toll rate down to the cash rate at toll facilities that were accepting cash as of March 17* and extended expiration dates of E-ZPass discount plans. Customers are reminded of the following:
– Processing and mailing of NOTDs resumed in mid-October, beginning with unpaid transactions for trips made from March through June 2020. To avoid assessment of a civil penalty, motorists are encouraged to pay by the due date on the NOTD. Processing/mailing of NOTDs for unpaid trips made after June 2020 is ongoing.
– Effective November 1, 2020, standard 45-day plan cycles resumed for E-ZPass Maryland Discount Plans, and the standard 90-day plan cycle resumed for the Bay Bridge (US 50/301) Shoppers Plan.
– Effective January 1, 2021, standard Video Toll rates will apply for any trips not paid with a valid E-ZPass account at all toll facilities statewide. As an example, two-axle Video Tolling trips at the Fort McHenry Tunnel were temporarily adjusted down to the cash rate of $4 in response to COVID-19. For any such trips made on or after January 1, 2021, the standard Video Toll rate of $6 will apply. View standard Video Toll rates here. Motorists with E-ZPass Maryland pay $3 per trip, a 50% savings compared to standard Video Tolls!
If drivers have questions, would like to check for Video Toll transactions or pay a Notice of Toll Due, discuss available payment options, discontinue their commuter discount plans because their commuting/travel patterns have changed or want to join E-ZPass Maryland, they can call toll-free 1-888-321-6824. In response to Governor Larry Hogan’s directive, the MDTA implemented a temporary, two-week suspension of in-person service operations at its various Customer Service Centers on December 21. Customers can visit a Customer Service Center (locations/hours at ezpassmd.com/en/about/csc.shtml) when in-person operations resume Monday, January 4, 2021.
All-electronic (cashless) tolling is permanently in effect statewide. There’s no stopping at toll booths, and tolls are paid by using an E-ZPass or by Video Tolling. This system provides convenience for motorists, less engine idling for better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, decreased congestion and increased safety.
*The following facilities were accepting cash on March 17, 2020: John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (I-95), Bay Bridge (US 50/301), Fort McHenry (I-95) and Baltimore Harbor (I-895) tunnels, and Nice/Middleton Bridge (US 301). The standard Video Toll rate has continued to apply at the Francis Scott Key (I-695) and Thomas J. Hatem (US 40) bridges, I-95 Express Toll Lanes and Intercounty Connector (ICC)/MD 200, which already had all-electronic tolling and were not accepting cash tolls.
