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Who Are These People That Don’t Use E-ZPass?

E-ZPass technology is used in 17 states from Virginia to Maine and as far west as Illinois.

Here’s how it works. You apply online. Or by phone, fax, or mail. Or you visit one of their service centers. You create an account, noting which car you plan to use. They send you a small transponder. You attach the transponder to the inside of the windshield in your car. Now you are ready to roll. Every time you drive through the E-ZPass lane at a toll collection point, your tag communicates with special E-ZPass reader equipment and the cost of the toll appears on your account. No more waiting 15 minutes in the cash only lane. No more dealing with sullen toll operators. No more nasty, dirty coins. You pay your E-ZPass bill once a month.

So convenient, right? Then why do so many drivers not use E-ZPass?

Every time I blow by a tool collection point, I pass about 50 to 100 cars lined up in the cash only lanes. Each of these stupid people waits 5, 10, 15 minutes for no reason at all. Why would they do this? E-ZPass doesn’t charge a premium. You pay the same toll whether by cash or E-ZPass. In a few states, E-ZPass charges you an initial set-up fee of $20-30, but this fee is very small compared to the opportunity cost of waiting in the cash only lane day after day. Why wouldn’t they get E-ZPass?

Is this the story of fearful old people who don’t understand the concept of money they can’t touch with their bare hands?