View Full Version : cash to pay for toll??
letournerie
04-05-2011, 14:25
Hi all,
We've been reading a lot about not being able to pay toll in cash anymore and that you have to buy a toll pass now.
We only use the toll booths on the 417 to get to and from the airport, that's a few dollars worth in toll.
Does anyone know if you can still pay toll with coins on that road, or, the other option is the road leading to Sand Lake Road (the 528, Beechline Xpres way).
It sounds a bit ridiculous that we have to find a way around the toll roads in order to find a Publix so that we can buy this pass (for $ 14.99) just to pay 75 cts in toll.
Hope anyone can help with recent info.
Thanks a lot!!
There are still cash lanes, just that they also have the toll pass lanes too.
The alternative is Alamo's Toll Pass system which is far more reasonable than Dollars and other suppliers. They charge $2 for any day you use a toll, plus the cost of the toll. So if during your stay you only use tolls on 2 different days, then you pay $4 plus the actual cost of the tolls used. You do not even have to elect to use the Toll Pass when you collect the car as it just kicks in when you go through a Sun Pass / EZ Pass toll lane.
steph_goodrum
04-05-2011, 16:11
Your'e fine at the moment as it's only a stretch of the Turnpike near Miami that is completely cashless, some others will no doubt be introduced.
letournerie
04-05-2011, 16:23
Thanks a lot. We're going next Feb. The Alamo option is a good alternative, still for us the easiest option is just cash.
Sorry to butt in- but Roger can you just clarify- last year we were offered a Sunpass by Alamo- which we took, does this mean this year we will not be offered it and it will be automatically charged when we use the sunpass lanes?
Correct, they will just give you a small flyer to tell you about it, then you choose to use it or not. If you accidentally go through a toll without paying then it will just charge you the $2 for that day plus the cost of that toll. Once you have done that, you may as well use the Sun Pass lanes for any other tolls that day.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by lynnroy
Sorry to butt in- but Roger can you just clarify- last year we were offered a Sunpass by Alamo- which we took, does this mean this year we will not be offered it and it will be automatically charged when we use the sunpass lanes?
[/quote]
Thats brill- many thanks for clarifying
sammibabe
04-05-2011, 20:24
Steph, could you tell me if we would be on that road travelling from Miami to Davenport? We have never flown into Miami before, thanks
You will be driving on the road from Miami to Davenport (the Turnpike) but you don't need to worry as you won't be coming off the road to go through the Sunpass only exits.
We have just driven to and from Miami and it is not a problem if you don't exit the Turnpike enroute at these particular points.
Albert the Frog
22-07-2011, 21:20
Just reading up and it appears that the maximum charge is $6 plus the cost of the toll for the duration of the rental-sounds like a bargain!--- If you or any driver operate the rental vehicle in Northern California, Florida, Colorado, or Texas, and generate an unpaid toll, you will be charged our Toll Pass Convenience Charge of $2.00 for each day you use a toll road or bridge plus the cost of all unpaid tolls. The maximum Toll Pass Convenience Charge for the rental period is $6.00, plus the cost of all unpaid tolls. For information call (877) 860-1284. If you or any driver operate the rental vehicle in areas not served by TollPass and generate any unpaid toll(s) then you will be charged for all unpaid tolls and an administrative charge of up to $25.00 per rental.
Be a bit careful as the rate varies by car rental company.
Alamo / National are the cheapest at $2 per day with a max of $6 total for any number of days (plus the cost of the toll itself). You do not need to decide when you collect the car. If you decide you want to use it, simply drive through a toll (no need to notify Alamo / National).
Dollar / Thrifty is $36.99 per week but also includes the tolls. Unless you are driving e.g. down to Miami and back from Orlando then this is expensive as you are unlikely to spend this much per week on toll roads. If you want this you must opt in when you collect your car. If you do not opt in then use a toll without paying then you will be billed at a much higher rate, or fined.
Avis / Budget are $2.50 per day plus tolls, with a $10 per week maximum.
Some examples:
2 week rental with Alamo: Total service charge = $6 + the cost of tolls
2 week rental with Dollar: Total charge = $73.98 including tolls
2 week rental with Budget: Total service charge = $20 + the cost of tolls
We used the sunpass system when we drove up from Fort Lauderdale a couple of weeks ago. It worked brilliantly as it meant we could keep up a constant speed (though slowing down to go through the sunpass lanes, of course!) and not stop to sort out the cash for tolls etc.
It will be interesting to see how much Alamo charge in total for this journey. The main part is $13.70 but we had several more tolls, too.
Alamo charge $2 for the day then the cost of tolls, so if you went through $13.70 worth of tolls then the charge for will be $15.70 for that day.
Alamo charge $2 for the day then the cost of tolls, so if you went through $13.70 worth of tolls then the charge for will be $15.70 for that day.
We thought it was well worth the extra $2, Roger. It was so easy not having to stop. We will definitely use it again when we drive down to Fort Lauderdale. We didn't keep a tally of each toll we passed through, so expect it to be a bit more than $13.70. We are actually amazed that this toll has not increased for some years.
loveflorida
26-07-2011, 14:16
Not sure if this applies but for $17.50 per week all in is the total charge from Dollar for a SunPass to cover the whole of Florida.