Scroll Top

Assembly Panel OK’s Wagner, Vainieri Huttle & Johnson "Truth in Tolling Act"

Bill Would Require EZ-Pass Lanes to Display Toll Prices Paid


TRENTON) – An Assembly panel on Monday approved legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Connie Wagner, Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Gordon Johnson known as the “Truth in Tolling Act” to boost transparency for commuters.

“There have been countless times when I’ve driven through an EZ-Pass lane and had no idea how much I just paid in toll fare,” said Wagner (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Cash-strapped commuters should know full well how much they’re paying so they can decide for themselves whether they’d like to take a different route.”

The bill (A-2413) would require the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority to install electronic displays at the collection points on every EZ-Pass toll lane of the state’s three toll roads to show the toll amount paid by EZ-Pass users when they pass through a toll.
The sponsors noted that EZ-Pass users are often unaware of the amount of money being deducted from their EZ-Pass accounts when they pass through tolls. These displays will enable EZ-Pass users to make more informed choices about whether to use toll roads.

“I’m sure there are countless commuters out there who don’t know for months how much they’re paying in tolls until their EZ-Pass statement shows up,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “You wouldn’t walk into a store and buy something without knowing the price so it’s only fair that toll prices be featured prominently.”

The requirement would not apply to points at which tolls are collected for passage over bridges, through tunnels, or through high speed gantries. The toll road authorities shall determine the technology to be used for the displays and the cost of the installation.

“Commuters sometimes have no idea how much they’re paying in tolls until they get hit with an automatic deduction from their bank account to replenish their EZ-Pass account,” said Johnson (D-Bergen). “If you’re on a tight budget, knowing how much you’re paying in tolls can mean the difference between overdrawing your bank account and staying on balance.”

The measure was approved by the Assembly Transportation Committee and now awaits consideration by the full Assembly.