Maryland removes E-ZPass transponder fees

Maryland residents and business owners can now save a few bucks thanks to a recent announcement from Gov. Larry Hogan. The Maryland Transportation Authority will waive E-ZPass fees for all new customers.

A permanent move, the $7.50 E-ZPass transponder fee has been eliminated. It may not sound like much, but a news release from the governor’s office claims it will save Marylanders $46 million over the next five years.

This comes on the back of the governor’s announcement in 2015 about major toll rollbacks across the state. That resulted in savings of $270 million.

Of the $46 million savings for the fee waiver, $6 million comes from the actual fee. The remaining $40 million is the estimated toll discounts from the use of transponders over the next five years.

Existing customers will get some relief as well. The transportation authority will replace approximately 400,000 old transponders for free.

Already bought a transponder this year? No worries. The Maryland Transportation Authority will issue a credit of $7.50 on accounts of transponders that were purchased in 2018. Credit is only good for activated accounts in good standing.

Kerry Brandt, a Maryland Transportation Authority spokeswoman, confirmed to Land Line that the elimination of transponder fees applies to commercial vehicles as well as passenger vehicles.