NEWS |
103-98: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , July 28, 1998
"We knew the system would be successful," Mr. Boyle said. "But the popularity of E-ZPass is even stronger than expected. More than a quarter-million tags have been issued by the Port Authority alone since E-ZPass was installed at our tunnels and bridges last year, and our customers are overwhelmingly enthusiastic."
Of the almost two million vehicles that used the George Washington Bridge in June, 44 percent paid the toll with E-ZPass, Mr. Boyle said. At the Goethals Bridge, 40 percent of users paid with E-ZPass, at the Outerbridge Crossing, 44 percent, and at the Bayonne Bridge, 41 percent. E-ZPass was installed earlier last year at the three Staten Island bridges, and last October at the Lincoln and Holland tunnels.
Electronic toll collection went into service at the world's busiest bridge one year ago today. There and at the other the Port Authority bridges, E-ZPass has been a valuable tool in handling record volumes of traffic in the past year.
"The number of vehicles using the Port Authority bridges grew by 3.4 percent in the first six months of 1998, largely due to strong economic growth in the region," Mr. Boyle said. "The more traffic increases, the more E-ZPass is needed to keep cars and trucks moving.
"That's why we encourage all motorists to use E-ZPass at all facilities, not just ours, but also those of other agencies."
Using E-ZPass is a bargain. "In fact," Mr. Boyle said, "both the Port Authority and MTA Bridges and Tunnels offer discounts to all E-ZPass customers."
The Port Authority has made getting an E-ZPass tag as easy as using one. Drivers simply fill out an application to establish an account. Application forms can be obtained by calling 1-800-333-8655. Customers can also get an E-ZPass application and information on the Internet at the Port Authority's Web site -- www.panynj.gov.
Customers now enrolled in one of the agency's commuter discount programs may select the same discount plan under the E-ZPass program. Once customers have completed the application process, a prepaid account will be established and trips will be automatically charged against the account. E-ZPass customers receive a monthly statement detailing all their transactions. Signing up with a credit card is the best way to open an account because it allows funds to be transferred automatically to the account once it falls below a specified minimum. Customers can also establish accounts by check or money order. A single E-ZPass tag will work throughout the region at all bridges and tunnels that display the purple E-ZPass logo.
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