Anyone who has driven or been a passenger on the interstate is aware of the E-ZPass system, an electronic toll-collection system used in 14 states in the Northeast that eliminates rummaging through car seats for one more dime to pay the toll.

E-ZPass users can zip through the lane while their device communicates where they entered and exited the interstate, deducting money from a prepaid balance on a monthly basis.

For years a “commuter pass” existed in Maine, allowing people who used the turnpike on a regular basis who always got on and off at the same locations to receive a flat fee discount on their toll charges of around 50 percent – a big help for people who use the turnpike to get to work. 

Starting November 1, the Maine Turnpike Authority has announced the end of this commuter pass, which means people who held the commuter pass will see their rates go up, in some cases double. The new Volume Based Family Discount Program system bases discounts instead on the number of times a motorist uses the turnpike and will apply to all users of E-ZPass.

Data obtained from www.maineturnpike.com

A person using the turnpike to travel to and from work makes around 40 trips in a month. Under the new system, this equals a 20 percent savings. To obtain the same savings they would enjoy from the former plan, they would have to travel on the turnpike 70 or more times a month.

Maine Turnpike Authority Executive Director Peter Mills said that though the deep discounts are going away, more people will see small savings. 

“A lot of people who never got a discount before will get one,” Mills said. “The system will be fairer.”

Rick Huot of Biddeford is not happy about the increase and has protested on the Maine Turnpike Authority’s Facebook page. “My quarterly costs will go up from $70.85 to $146. 

“This is absolutely unreasonable and it's not like I have any other option. This is literally and figuratively highway robbery,” Huot said.

In addition to the ending of the commuter pass, rates are going up. The rate for all E-ZPass users will increase from 6.7 cents to 7.7 cents per mile, and several toll increases are also going into effect at the York toll (from $2 to $3); the New Gloucester toll (from $1.75 to $2.25); the West Gardiner exchange (from $1.25 to $1.75); and the Wells northbound and Gray southbound tolls (from $1 to $1.50).

For more information, visit www.MaineTurnpike.com, call 1-888-MTA-PASS, email info@maineturnpike.com, or check out the Maine Turnpike Authority’s Facebook page.