[W2CRA] EZ-Pass Letter

[campbell, barry]

There's been some discussion on the machine recently about the "surcharge"
that NJ plans to implement for every EZ-Pass subscriber in NJ. Thanks to
Pete, NJ1N, he has a copy of a letter sent by the transportation
commissioner, and after some finagling, I've gotten it to Text so it can be
sent on the listserv. 
   If you want to know who to write to about the surcharge, it's on the
letter. Some of us feel that we should not have to pay the surcharge in a
month that EZ pass is not used. At any rate, for those interested, here's
the letter:

         





                                                               STATE OF NEW
JERSEY
                                                               DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
                                                               1035 PARKWAY
AVENUE
                                                               PO. BOX 601
                                                               TRENTON. NJ.
08625-0601
         
         JAMES E. McGreevey
         GOVERNOR
         
         
         James R Fox
         COMMISSIONER
         
         
         
 
September, 2002
         
Dear E-ZPass Member:
         
     E-ZPass is an extremely important part of the State's transportation
policy. It is an innovative program to reduce traffic congestion and improve
air quality. When Governor McGreevey took office, however, the system was
mired in significant operating and financial problems.

     Drivers were harassed with faulty violation notices. The E-ZPass system
was bankrupt and confronted by a $469 million deficit. It was in desperate
need of reform. In July, the Governor released a plan to make New Jersey's
E-ZPass one of the best in the country. While you may have already read
about aspects of this plan, I want to share these initiatives with you
personally.

*     The State has replaced the company handling the construction and
operation of the E-ZPass system. ACS State and Local Government Solutions
will take over the system from Worldcom. ACS is recognized as the national
leader in electronic toll collection. It effectively operates systems in New
York, California, Maryland, Delaware and South Carolina.

*     Immediate actions are underway to cut down on the faulty violation
notices and improve accountability and efficiency in the Customer Service
Center that handles your questions. If you have any questions about your
E-ZPass account, you can call 1-888-288-6865.

*     The State is finalizing plans to integrate High Speed E-ZPass into the
Garden State Parkway. This will enable customers to drive at highway speed
through E-ZPass lanes. High Speed E-ZPass is already employed in several
States, and it is time we brought it to New Jersey.

*     In response to complaints from customers regarding the inconsistent
and poor identification of E-ZPass lanes, a new signage plan is being
developed to clearly identify E-ZPass toll lanes as customers approach a
toll.

*     To begin to pay down the $469 million E-ZPass deficit that was left
behind by the previous administration, a $1 per account monthly membership
fee will be instituted. This fee will be dedicated to paying E-ZPass debt,
installing high speed E-ZPass and improving signage for E-ZPass lanes.

      This is an honest and realistic plan to fix E-ZPass, and I assure you
that our Administration is committed to providing you with a program that
works and responds to your needs.


                                      Sincerely,

                                      (Signed)

                                      James P. Fox
                                      Commissioner, Department of
Transportation
         

Barry R. Campbell
Computer Technology Coordinator
Somerset County Technical Institute
Bridgewater NJ
908-526-8900 ext 7229
908-526-9494 (fax)