Yup, same here. One roundtrip in/out of NYC. $40.32. If I had EZ Pass, same roundtrip would've been $13.10. That's an over 300% markup. Might have to consider EZ pass for any return trips.
https://www.e-zpassny.com/en/about/plans.shtml
NYS has a postpaid plan - where you don't need to deposit the standard $25 with them. Just a pay as you go option pulled directly from your bank account via ACH and if you add a cc as a backup option, they won't collect any deposit for the tag. Basically you will get a free EZ Pass.
PAY PER TRIP with Standard Plan
PAY PER TRIP with Standard Plan: This is a "post-paid" plan that enables you to link your E-ZPass account to your bank checking account and pay for all your E-ZPass tolls once per day, direct from your bank account, for the days on which you have E-ZPass toll usage.
No money is held as "prepaid balance" like with the other E-ZPass plans, there is no need to provide a credit card number, and your account is not charged until you incur tolls (except in some circumstances on the night you sign up). If you optionally provide a backup credit card payment form
you will not be required to pay a deposit for each tag on your account, and the credit card will also serve as a secondary payment method if the bank account withdrawal fails for some reason. For more information see the PAY PER TRIP FAQ. Plan Code: (PPT)
btw, you can pick up EZ Pass transponders at AAA offices - but they charge $30, which, if you follow the rules above will be placed as a deposit on your transponder.
https://northeast.aaa.com/automotive...-zpass-ny.html
E-ZPass On-the-Go (MTA Transponders):
allows AAA members to obtain an E-ZPass tag for $30, which goes onto the account when attached to a credit card for replenishment. Otherwise a $10 deposit will be taken by E-ZPass for the transponder. ($20 will be available for use). Available in
specific AAA Northeast branches.
Does anyone know how EZPass sends the transponder? USPS, UPS, etc? They say 5-7 business days for delivery.