Car rental & tolls

[MITCH 112198]

I read on dollar car rental that some pay roads w/ tolls are now no cash at all and will be fined if driving a rental and not getting the sunpass, or easypass as we call it in PA. You can rent a sunpass from dollar car rental. From MCO to Disney. Does anyone now if that is true or can we still use quarters at all toll booths?:veryconfu

 

[Nemo14]

Yes, there are toll booths (exit ramps actually) in FL that only accept the SunPass, and fees incurred for not having the SunPass when using these exits can be pretty hefty, but you won't have a problem with these if you are only traveling from MCO to WDW and back. Most of the ones I've heard of are on the FL turnpike, but I'm sure a few of our Floridian members can clarify that for you.

 

[tizzo]

Yes, there are toll booths (exit ramps actually) in FL that only accept the SunPass, and fees incurred for not having the SunPass when using these exits can be pretty hefty, but you won't have a problem with these if you are only traveling from MCO to WDW and back. Most of the ones I've heard of are on the FL turnpike, but I'm sure a few of our Floridian members can clarify that for you.

I believe the turnpike is the only place where this has been implemented, and only in south Florida. I've never paid a toll in the Orlando area at which I didn't have the option of using cash or exact change. Be aware, however, that there are booths, especially at exit ramps, where your only option besides SunPass/EPass is exact change, so if you don't have quarters your stuck. And in that situation, you don't pay a hefty service fee - you get a traffic citation.

I read an article in the past few months saying that the fees rental car companies charge for the electronic toll systems can often be waived or reduced for the asking, and can also be disputed if not properly disclosed. (The implication was that they are frequently not properly disclosed). I have a philosophical opposition to paying for this, because the transponders are given away free by the expressway authority, and they don't charge any extra for using them. Indeed they give discounts to accounts that pass through more than 40 or 80 toll booths in a month - which, if it extends to rental car accounts (which I'm not sure it does), means that they pay less for the toll than they charge you - IE they make money if you use it.

 

[flynnibus]

if you have EZpass.. just take it with you and use it

if not..

plan on having change The toll roads are generally speaking unavoidable between MCO and WDW

 

[Nemo14]

I beleive you have to have the FL SunPass, not the EZPass that other states use.

 

[Nemo14]

I believe the turnpike is the only place where this has been implemented, and only in south Florida. I've never paid a toll in the Orlando area at which I didn't have the option of using cash or exact change. Be aware, however, that there are booths, especially at exit ramps, where your only option besides SunPass/EPass is exact change, so if you don't have quarters your stuck. And in that situation, you don't pay a hefty service fee - you get a traffic citation.

I read an article in the past few months saying that the fees rental car companies charge for the electronic toll systems can often be waived or reduced for the asking, and can also be disputed if not properly disclosed. (The implication was that they are frequently not properly disclosed). I have a philosophical opposition to paying for this, because the transponders are given away free by the expressway authority, and they don't charge any extra for using them. Indeed they give discounts to accounts that pass through more than 40 or 80 toll booths in a month - which, if it extends to rental car accounts (which I'm not sure it does), means that they pay less for the toll than they charge you - IE they make money if you use it.

Exits255 Consulate Drive (Southbound Exit Only) and
240 Kissimmee Park Road (Northbound Entrance/SouthBound Exit Only)
are also SunPass only

 

[Rob562]

I beleive you have to have the FL SunPass, not the EZPass that other states use.

Correct. EZPass (and its related toll systems, like FastLane here in Mass) is not in use anywhere in Florida.

Perhaps someday, but not yet. (I recently read of a test they were doing to use license plate images that they could potentially use to bill registered users of EZPass accounts, but there's nothing concrete about it. Plus, it wouldn't help with rental cars)

-Rob

 

[flynnibus]

some rental car agencies allow pre-paying to use toll roads... but it's not a deal at all. - https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar

It's lame Sunpass doesn't work with EZ Pass. What confused me was EPass uses similar colors to EZ Pass!

I've been using transponder toll systems for over 15 years now.. and EZ pass has become compatible with all the ones in our area (VA and MD).. ashame FL and others have not jumped on board.

But Sunpass is doing the sticker tags which you don't see in the EZ Pass network yet. The stickers would be nice.

Here's a story saying they are 'committed' to getting ez-pass into Sunpass... but no specifics
http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/5365

looks like EZ Pass just selected a new supplier of their style of tags too.. so no chance of sticker tags for awhile

 

[Pioneer Hall]

You have nothing to worry about. The tolls you are going to see will have cash options. According to my SunPass statement, I paid 1.50 going from WDW to the airport this weekend (not sure if there is any toll break there).

 

[tizzo]

Correct. EZPass (and its related toll systems, like FastLane here in Mass) is not in use anywhere in Florida.

Perhaps someday, but not yet. (I recently read of a test they were doing to use license plate images that they could potentially use to bill registered users of EZPass accounts, but there's nothing concrete about it. Plus, it wouldn't help with rental cars)

-Rob

Actually, there might be some good news on that front.

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/5306

Before this, the last thing I heard about possible interoperability was when I emailed the expressway authority down here to ask them about it, and was told essentially not to hold my breath. Now, they're saying possibly by the end of the year EPass and SunPass could be interoperable with EZPass.

Now, all we need is for Delaware and Maryland to rip out the toll booths on I-95 and replace them with the full-speed lanes we have here in FL, and like NJ has on the Parkway. Last time I was through that area, EZPass holders had to wait in traffic just like everyone else, because they don't separate electronic from cash toll payers soon enough to prevent the approach from backing up for all drivers. In fact, in most places I've seen, they don't separate them at all - I usually see EZPass lanes interspersed with cash and exact change lanes all the way across the road. That eliminates almost all the benefit you get from EZPass.

I've always thought that must be frustrating for EZPass holders - perhaps soon I'll get to find out first hand.

 

[ktflisa]

Cash Tolls

So - the general consensus seems to be that only the Florida Turnpike has pass only booths? We'll be there in October - going from MCO to marriott Grande Vista - all on Florida 528 Toll. Will we be able to pay cash for our tolls?

thanks! 48 more days!

 

[TTATraveler]

So - the general consensus seems to be that only the Florida Turnpike has pass only booths? We'll be there in October - going from MCO to marriott Grande Vista - all on Florida 528 Toll. Will we be able to pay cash for our tolls?

thanks! 48 more days!

You'll have no problems on the 528, there will be at least one manned or change lane. The only Turnpike exit that is SunPass only in this immediate area is the Consulate Drive exit.

 

[ktflisa]

Thanks!

 

[s8film40]

The unmanned booths now have a pay by mail option. You pick up an envelope at the booth and send it in later and then they don't issue the fine. These are mainly found on 417.

 

[MITCH 112198]

went to disney and now back had no problem getting to and from disney. only 1 booth was quarters only they rest had a person there.

Thanks to all your help.

they did try to give and charge for a sunpass for the car we said no

 

[PlutosPalace]

We bought a Sunpass a few years ago and we use it on each trip. We just need to call Sunpass and let them know we have a rental car and to associate the cars information with the Sunpass. Easy.

https://www.sunpass.com/selectAcceptAgreementPurchaseTransponder

We got the movable version. We did this because we drive all over during our vacation. WDW to various stores off property to Clear Water Beach. The $10 minimum load is always enough for us.

 

[Tink ッ]

What do you do if you don't have change for the toll booths though? I remember a holiday a couple of years ago where we had to rent a car at MCO, and it didn't take long before we encountered a toll booth. The problem is that we're international visitors and usually don't have any change at all at arrival. I'm going again next september, so would like to be prepared for the next time...

 

[FLORIDA_PHIL]

Hi Tink
yes this was the problem we had on our last visit . trying to get change in the airport is a NIGHTMARE what we need is somewhere to get $10 of quarters that would be good. any suggestions anybody ?

 

[Tink ッ]

Are you flying directly to Orlando? We're landing in Newark first, so we hope we'll have time to get some food there (seeing how crappy most food on airplanes are ) and get change that way.

 

[FLORIDA_PHIL]

we are flying in direct to sanford on the 28th sept , sounds like a plan at newark i am hoping a friend of mine is going before me and will bring me some change back !!