Watch CBS News

Schumer Wants E-Z Pass Text Alert System To Help Avoid $50 High-Speed Toll Fees

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Drivers across the New York City Metro area may be getting socked with hefty and hidden E-Z Pass charges.

Schumer Tells 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria Fees Are Highway Robbery

Podcast

While drivers receive visual warnings about low balances or impending charges when using low-speed tolls, drivers do not receive warnings on high-speed tolls, like those found on the George Washington Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, New York State Thruway or the Goethals, Outerbridge, and Bayonne Bridges, due to safety concerns.

As a result, drivers who are accustomed to these warnings can be blindsided when they do not receive similar notifications on these lanes, and are then forced to pay up to $50 in "administrative fees" for each unpaid toll on top of the bridge or road toll.

On Thursday, Sen. Charles Schumer called on the four toll agencies that operate E-ZPass in New York State to implement a text-message warning system to alert drivers when their E-ZPass balances run low and about any impending charges they may face.

"When you have to go pay $50 to go through a bridge because you didn't know your balance was gone, that's highway robbery," Schumer told 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria. "Our local libraries...when your book is due in a day, they text you. Why can't EZ-Pass do the same thing?"

Schumer said the text-message warning system will help the over 2.1 million New York City area residents that use E-ZPass avoid unnecessary toll fees.

"With gas prices adding to commuting costs, the last thing New Yorkers need are unwarranted and avoidable fees every time they pay a toll," said Schumer. "E-ZPass is supposed to save New Yorkers money, but by failing to notify drivers about impending charges when they drive through high-speed tolls, it's leaving many of them in the red."

Did you know about the low-balance E-Z Pass fees? Think a text alert system is the answer? Sound Off below

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.