Why isn’t there a human attendant for the toll by exit to ORD
Feb 22, 2020, 11:56 am
#1
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
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Why isn’t there a human attendant for the toll by exit to ORD
It is so frustrating to drive to ORD in a rental and to need coins. Why can’t that stop have a human attendant - I see human attendants at other toll road places and some exits. Not every traveler knows how to pay the toll online, esp if they might be feeling rushed for getting to their flight due to unexpected traffic.
I know that travelers need to be responsible but I wish the toll by ORD could cost more than $1.50 and then have a human attendant. I don’t even like that coin box.
I know that travelers need to be responsible but I wish the toll by ORD could cost more than $1.50 and then have a human attendant. I don’t even like that coin box.
Last edited by gaobest; Feb 22, 2020 at 11:57 am Reason: There their
Feb 25, 2020, 9:33 am
#2
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
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It is so frustrating to drive to ORD in a rental and to need coins. Why can’t that stop have a human attendant - I see human attendants at other toll road places and some exits. Not every traveler knows how to pay the toll online, esp if they might be feeling rushed for getting to their flight due to unexpected traffic.
I know that travelers need to be responsible but I wish the toll by ORD could cost more than $1.50 and then have a human attendant. I don’t even like that coin box.
I know that travelers need to be responsible but I wish the toll by ORD could cost more than $1.50 and then have a human attendant. I don’t even like that coin box.
https://www.illinoistollway.com/toll...n/unpaid-tolls
Feb 27, 2020, 6:04 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,126
It is so frustrating to drive to ORD in a rental and to need coins. Why can’t that stop have a human attendant - I see human attendants at other toll road places and some exits. Not every traveler knows how to pay the toll online, esp if they might be feeling rushed for getting to their flight due to unexpected traffic.
I know that travelers need to be responsible but I wish the toll by ORD could cost more than $1.50 and then have a human attendant. I don’t even like that coin box.
I know that travelers need to be responsible but I wish the toll by ORD could cost more than $1.50 and then have a human attendant. I don’t even like that coin box.
Feb 27, 2020, 7:17 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Rental car companies are notorious for upcharging (excdet Silver Car I hear), and many charge you a convenience fee for every day of the rental even when you only used tolling once.
Can you confirm which agency only charged you $1.50 for the exact amount of this toll?
Feb 27, 2020, 1:26 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: NWA, UA Silver. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,395
Get an IPASS if you are renting so much. Bring it with you, or just add the car to the pass for set date and times, using one costs half the posted price. You an pick one up at most Jewels in the Chicago area. Heck, Id help you get one if you need. Lemme know.
Humans cost money, of which Illinois has none.
Humans cost money, of which Illinois has none.
Feb 28, 2020, 12:51 pm
#7
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Get an IPASS if you are renting so much. Bring it with you, or just add the car to the pass for set date and times, using one costs half the posted price. You an pick one up at most Jewels in the Chicago area. Heck, Id help you get one if you need. Lemme know.
Humans cost money, of which Illinois has none.
Humans cost money, of which Illinois has none.
It's only a $10 deposit plus an intitial load of a certain amount that's then replenished when it gets below a certain level. You get your deposit back when you turn it in, so it's really no cost. Plus in Illinois at least the tolls drop by 50%. It's also good in like 19 states, mostly in the NE:
https://uchicago.app.box.com/file/625251659554
It's tranferable from car to car, so just take it with you when you travel. It can then sit unused for years accruing no cost until you use it. The other thing is that if you live in a state who's sytem is part of EZ-PASS you can use that one in Illinois. No need for an IPASS at all if that's the case.
Mar 1, 2020, 1:23 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, US
Posts: 2,210
Apparently they eventually expire. I got a letter (and an email) on mine last week saying that my transponder has expired and to bring it into a Jewel to exchange for a new one. I can't remember if I've replaced it before. If not, it's from like 98-99. I didn't ever have the first batch that had a display, but I was pretty soon after they switched off of those.
EDIT: Just got the new one, it's good to 2029, so maybe they're 10 years or so? so maybe I got one in 2009-10.
EDIT: Just got the new one, it's good to 2029, so maybe they're 10 years or so? so maybe I got one in 2009-10.
Last edited by glg; Mar 1, 2020 at 3:22 pm
Mar 1, 2020, 1:40 pm
#10
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This is going to be extinct. Stationing a human attendant at a toll facility costs more than asking for payment later by notice, or worse, forfeiting the toll.
Last edited by garykung; Mar 2, 2020 at 3:04 pm
Mar 2, 2020, 6:19 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
Apparently they eventually expire. I got a letter (and an email) on mine last week saying that my transponder has expired and to bring it into a Jewel to exchange for a new one. I can't remember if I've replaced it before. If not, it's from like 98-99. I didn't ever have the first batch that had a display, but I was pretty soon after they switched off of those.
EDIT: Just got the new one, it's good to 2029, so maybe they're 10 years or so? so maybe I got one in 2009-10.
EDIT: Just got the new one, it's good to 2029, so maybe they're 10 years or so? so maybe I got one in 2009-10.
Mar 2, 2020, 6:51 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
There's an easy option to pay online. Job done:
https://www.illinoistollway.com/toll...n/unpaid-tolls
https://www.illinoistollway.com/toll...n/unpaid-tolls
This is Illinois and even the ISTHA has a history of corruption. As long as somebody's brother, sister, cousin, etc. needs a job there will be humans at toll booths. It's never about cost in IL, just revenue and patronage. Not to mention the fact that there needs to be someone on site at all times because the gated lanes seem to break fairly regularly and need someone to repair them or at least manually open the gate for people stuck in line.
Mar 2, 2020, 4:21 pm
#13
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I've had to pay online after using the toll roads in Illinois and not having change to do so. It's not fun to have to remember the relevant exit number/location and time/date and have to get around to doing it, but with real-time maps and a quick screenshot, I make my own record at the toll booth and then catch up online at the airport or my destination to pay up. I've yet to mess up this. 
IL and driving to ORD is probably the primary reason why I still lug around a whole bunch of coins.
IL and driving to ORD is probably the primary reason why I still lug around a whole bunch of coins.
Mar 2, 2020, 7:53 pm
#14
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Mar 3, 2020, 6:14 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
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Posts: 5,123
I've had to pay online after using the toll roads in Illinois and not having change to do so. It's not fun to have to remember the relevant exit number/location and time/date and have to get around to doing it, but with real-time maps and a quick screenshot, I make my own record at the toll booth and then catch up online at the airport or my destination to pay up. I've yet to mess up this.
IL and driving to ORD is probably the primary reason why I still lug around a whole bunch of coins.
IL and driving to ORD is probably the primary reason why I still lug around a whole bunch of coins.
