In an effort to keep the easy in E-ZPass® the MTA announced they will begin replacing old tags.
Since E-ZPass tags’ batteries last approximately nine to 10 years the MTA is switching out tags now to avoid any interruption in service, MTA Bridges and Tunnels Acting Deputy Chief Financial Officer Kevin O’Keefe said.
Batteries are sealed inside the E-ZPass so the entire tag must be replaced.
Account holders with tags that must be replaced will receive a letter from the MTA with the number of the tag (up to four tags are allowed on an account). The letters have begun being sent out and about 100,000 will be sent out a month, an MTA spokesperson said. Two weeks after the letter account holders will receive a new tag and a pre-paid envelope for the old tag.
“All [account holders] have to do is put the old tag in the pre-paid envelope and drop it in a mailbox,” O’Keefe said. “It’s that easy.”
O’Keefe stressed that the old tag should not be thrown out. A $23 charge will be placed on holder’s accounts if the old tag is not returned. The letter states that tag holders have 30 days to return the old E-ZPass and avoid the charge. The returned tags will be disposed of in an environmentally-responsible way, the MTA said.
E-ZPass tag holders can log onto www.ezpassny.com or call the New York E-ZPass Customer Service Center at 1-800 333-TOLL (9655) to make sure account information is up-to-date.
Approximately 1.2 million tags are expected to be replaced this year. The last E-ZPass swap occurred between 2002 and 2006.
