| Author | Message | ||
     papayagirl Citizen Username: Papayagirl Post Number: 685 Registered: 6-2002  |
One more transportation-related vent today, and then i'm done. What do you do when you're on the Turnpike in need of directions, but you have EZPass? I could be wrong, but i don't think there are any toll lanes that have attendants, which also take EZPass. (There are on the GSP... at least i think there used to be.) The first time this happened to me about 6 months ago, i just sucked it up and went into one of the cash lanes. The attendant was very helpful and told me which way to go, but it also took a good 5 minutes for me to remove my EZPass box and hand it to him, have him fill out a form, hand it back to me to complete with my name, address, etc., then i had to dig out my registration to figure out what my license plate number was, and hand it back to him. The car behind me was far from pleased, as evidenced by the number of times they honked at us, but there wasn't much other choice in the matter. The attendant also said that the original plan was to have at least some cash lanes also take EZPass, but he implied that NJ cheaped out and it never happened (at least, not yet). Yesterday, i accidentally got on TP South coming back from Ikea, instead of TP North, and I realized as soon as i did it. I got off at exit 13, which is literally one mile from where i got on, but i didn't know how to get back on TP North from there. This time, the cash lane attendant gave me directions, but said i had to pay him $4.35 in cash. I asked if he had any forms to fill out like the last time, and he said he was out, but implied that i'd have to pay $4.35 even if he did. Part of me wanted to fight, since i didn't get the sense that i paid full-fare the last time (I certainly didn't hand over any cash, but don't think i ever checked my statement), but he didn't sound like it was up for negotiation. So what are EZPass customers supposed to do when they're lost? | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4618 Registered: 12-2004  |
Pay the toll with cash? | ||
| papayagirl Citizen Username: Papayagirl Post Number: 687 Registered: 6-2002 |
Usually i realize i need directions after i've already entered the turnpike in an EZPass lane, so there's no record of where i got on. So if i paid the toll with cash, i assume i'd always have to pay the maximum amount (which i guess is $4.35). It just seems like there should be a better, cheaper way to ask a question. | ||
| MeAndTheBoys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 4621 Registered: 12-2004 |
Never thought of it that way. Do they have little buildings that house offices, or whatever, at the toll plaza where you could pull over, walk in and ask someone there? Do you have a map that could help you figure out where you are and where you need to go? Or can you just stay away from the Turnpike altogether, as it is such a major PIA in general? I hardly ever use the Turnpike for anything anymore, so I guess I really don't have an answer. I know the GSP has EZPass/Cash combo lanes. Didn't realize the Turnpike did not. Just tossing out ideas. | ||
| mjh Supporter Username: Mjh Post Number: 781 Registered: 5-2001 |
EZ pass works in all lanes, attended and not attended. | ||
| papayagirl Citizen Username: Papayagirl Post Number: 688 Registered: 6-2002 |
mjh - that's definitely not true, or i wouldn't have had an attendant insist on collecting the $ or going through the hassle of filling out the form if it were. and unfortunately, i'm basically illiterate when it comes to finding my way on a map. i'm just surprised more people don't have this problem. i guess i just get lost more than most people! | ||
| Earlster Supporter Username: Earlster Post Number: 1621 Registered: 8-2003  |
Well, they are toll collectors, not a traffic direction service. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider  Post Number: 15647 Registered: 1-2003  |
Get a GPS device? | ||
| Earlster Supporter Username: Earlster Post Number: 1623 Registered: 8-2003 |
Ligeti would recommend a map.  | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 15648 Registered: 1-2003 |
So would I. | ||
| argon_smythe Citizen Username: Argon_smythe Post Number: 944 Registered: 5-2001 |
Consider the fact that there is no guarantee the particular toll booth attendant you "get" at any spin of the wheel actually knows how to get where you're going. Also consider the directions may be complicated and not easy to commit to memory while idling in a toll booth. Finally consider the poor people behind you waiting while you go about this little exercise. Yes a good old fashioned road atlas stuck in the back seat is an essential piece of driving equipment. Local detailed maps like the Hammond ones are good for the local area where you're most likely to be. Going to mapquest or google maps and printing out the map and directions before leaving are also helpful. Having a cell phone and the number of someone at your destination is a very good way to get detailed help if you've lost your way or are in a confusing area. GPS devices are overkill just like the oversized SUVs they are installed in. Yeah I know that's a gratuitious overgeneralization. You may prefer to focus on the journey instead of the destination but probably best to give a little consideration to both before you embark. | ||
| TomR Citizen Username: Tomr Post Number: 1298 Registered: 6-2001 |
I can't offer any help for Papayagirl, but I do love telling this story. When I was looking at homes in the area I was going through a toll (can't remember which) and asked the toll-taker "can I pick up the NJ Turnpike from here"? (Long pause). He responds: "I don't think so sir, its pretty heavy". TomR P.s. Before anybody asks. Yes, its true story. I've always written it off to karma for having asked an ER doc if I'd be able to play the piano after a bike accident. | ||
| papayagirl Citizen Username: Papayagirl Post Number: 690 Registered: 6-2002 |
That's cute Tom. =-) And i'd never rely on toll booth collectors to give me detailed directions and get me where i need to go. I always bring along mapquest or personal directions before i go somewhere unknown, and we do have road maps and atlases in the car... it just takes me forever to get my bearings before i can read them. Typically all i need to know is how to make a u-turn when i've accidentally started going in the wrong direction or i've missed my exit. Things that toll booth collectors can always tell you in their sleep, but calling someone at my destination for guidance would result in them wandering throughout their own party in search of anyone familiar with the backroads of Jersey City. I've just always assumed that toll booth collectors were there to do more than make change, and i'm disappointed that in exchange for using the EZPass service - which benefits the transit authorities as much as it does me - i have to pay $800 for a GPS device to help me figure out how to turn around. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 15652 Registered: 1-2003 |
The GPS suggestion was a joke to illustrate the problem where we need more and more fancy stuff to compensate for our lack of real interaction with each other. |
