By Philip Newman
MTA Bridges and Tunnels is getting ready to send out new E-ZPasses to a million-plus motorists whose passes are nearing expiration.
The new E-ZPasses are to be sent along with postage-paid envelopes to return the expired passes.
“The average lifespan for an E-ZPass tag battery is nine or 10 years, so it’s time to start swapping those old tags for new ones to make sure that a customer’s E-ZPass travel experience remains uninterrupted,” said Kevin O’Keefe, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bridges and Tunnels acting deputy chief financial officer.
The Bridges and Tunnels agency said the most recent tag exchange was from 2002-06. The batteries in the E-ZPass tags are sealed, so the whole tag has to be replaced. The Bridges and Tunnels agency said it expects to replace around 1.2 million tags this year. The returned tags will be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.
O’Keefe said the old tags must be replaced.
“Do not hold on to or throw away the old tag. It must be returned or the person’s account will be charged a $23 lost tag fee,” O’Keefe said.
Motorists can log on to their account information at ezpassny.com or call E-ZPass customer service at 1-800-333-TOLL.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-260-4536.
