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NJ Prius Owners, HOV Green EZpass

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by PriusC-illa, Jul 10, 2013.

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  1. PriusC-illa

    PriusC-illa Member

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    Are there any NJ Prius Owners that have any information on using HOV lanes and or the Green Port Authority EZpass?

    I saw on the ezpass website that qualifying vehicles can apply for the program by calling their number, but when I've searched online there's all this info about jumping through hoops and it really only being for NY State registered vehicles.

    I tweeted NJ.com about the HOV lanes and they had no idea it was even an option. They suggested I call the MVC, I'm trying to avoid this as I've never gotten anywhere with that route in the past..I tried their website but even searching "hybrid" results in 0 hits :cry:

    We have a 2013 Prius C and a 2013 Nissan Leaf

    Any info would be awesome!
     
    #1 PriusC-illa, Jul 10, 2013
  2. ajtozzi

    ajtozzi Junior Member

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    Where are there any HOV lanes in NJ to take advantage of?
     
    #2 ajtozzi, Jul 10, 2013
  3. PriusC-illa

    PriusC-illa Member

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    NJ Turnpike, and at the Holland & Lincoln Tunnels
     
    #3 PriusC-illa, Jul 10, 2013
  4. nordiska

    nordiska Junior Member

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    Hello PriusC-illa!

    I am a NJ Prius C owner with the NJ Green Pass. When I heard about all these discount green programs, I was confused too since I received conflicting information from both NY and NJ authorities. Basically here is what you need to know: Get a NJ Green Pass and it'll give you discounts on the GSP, NJ Turnpike and the Port Authority crossings (not sure if it's only for Hudson River crossings). This is what was told to me by a gentleman at the NJ EZPass Newark office. I have yet to actually see if it works for the Port Authority crossings, but it has for the GSP and Turnpike.

    All in all, not a bad deal! Plus, I feel extra cool and responsible having a Green Pass displayed! (y)

    Take care,
    Chris
     
    #4 nordiska, Jul 10, 2013
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  5. PriusC-illa

    PriusC-illa Member

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    Sweet, any instructions or website I can check out on how to acquire a NJ Green Pass?

    Is this different or the same as the Green EZPass?
    For Example NY has a Clean Pass, its a sticker. CA also has stickers.

    Thanks!
     
    #5 PriusC-illa, Jul 10, 2013
  6. PriusC-illa

    PriusC-illa Member

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    It seems as though I can just go to the Newark EZpass office. I'll send my husband and see what happens.
    E-ZPass® New Jersey - Plan Descriptions

    "The customer may also bring the proof of eligibility to the Newark, DRBA or Camden Customer Service Centers. "
     
    #6 PriusC-illa, Jul 10, 2013
  7. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    We still get our EZPass in NJ but we decided not to get the Green Pass since we do not get there as much.
    There are several threads by New Yorker PriusChat members about the NY Green EZPass.
    As far as I know, in general there is nothing to stop you from getting many EZ Passes...eg; there are some special ones for NYC bridges/tunnels, MD Hamdon (sp?) bridge, VA 495 Hot Lanes etc...
     
    #7 wjtracy, Jul 10, 2013
  8. PriusC-illa

    PriusC-illa Member

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    Thanks, I did read some of those threads. What I gathered was that the catch with the Port Authority Green Pass is that NYS registration is required, which I do not have as a NJ resident.
     
    #8 PriusC-illa, Jul 10, 2013
  9. PriusC-illa

    PriusC-illa Member

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    I don't see why there can't be a universal GreenPass instead of these individual programs!
     
    #9 PriusC-illa, Jul 10, 2013
  10. nordiska

    nordiska Junior Member

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    I know! It's so frustrating... You don't have to go in person though. All you have to do is write a short letter (1 paragraph) expressing your interest to be enrolled in the Green Pass program. You also must include a copy of your registration. I just taped the registration card on the letter so it was all on one page when I faxed a copy to them.

    I actually already had a regular EZPass white tag, which I didn't have to return when they mailed the green tag to me.

    Once I found out what to do, it was a pretty simple process. I was just dumbfounded that so many EZPass officials weren't informative regarding the application process.
     
    #10 nordiska, Jul 11, 2013
  11. PriusC-illa

    PriusC-illa Member

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    Thank You for the info!
     
    #11 PriusC-illa, Jul 11, 2013
  12. nordiska

    nordiska Junior Member

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    No problem! Good luck! The fax number is (973) 368-1505. (y)
     
    #12 nordiska, Jul 11, 2013
  13. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I checked the NY EZPass appication and unless I missed something, it looks like anyone from any state could sign up. I did see many complaints about not easy to do it. Seems like you might save tons of money if you cross the NY/NJ bridges often. If not then the monthly fees get the best of you.

    Now What?: It's not easy going green, at least going EZ Pass Green
     
    #13 wjtracy, Jul 11, 2013
  14. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    If you can, get the NY Thruway green pass - there's no monthly charge and it works on the Port Authority crossings as well (you do have to add it to your Port Authority account, but you just email them and they set it up). See my post on this.

    Also my long story on all the pitfalls...
     
    #14 ftl, Jul 11, 2013
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  15. PriusC-illa

    PriusC-illa Member

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    Since our cars are new, they are not tied to our old account yet. This old account is also in my husband's name. Maybe this works in my favor? Let me know if my plan of action is sound:

    Open a fresh new account with NY thruway in my name
    Add my Prius C and my husband's Leaf
    Request 2 green passes
    Close the old account
    Add the Port Authority and NJ green discount plans to the account

    This really shouldn't be so complicated :rolleyes:
     
    #15 PriusC-illa, Jul 19, 2013
  16. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    That should eliminate most of the possible complications. :)
     
    #16 ftl, Jul 19, 2013
  17. PriusC-illa

    PriusC-illa Member

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    Ok I'm glad my logic is sound, you never know with these freggin agencies!
     
    #17 PriusC-illa, Jul 19, 2013
  18. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    The oddest problem I ran in to, as I describe in one of my posts, is that the EZ-Pass office on Staten Island (Port Authority) said they couldn't set up a Thruway account for me as I had the wrong zip code. When I pressed them on it, they said, oh, well, we can always put in the right zip code for the area then change it later - and that worked fine.

    If you're setting up a new Thruway account via the website that shouldn't be a problem, but if they ask why you want a Thruway account instead of PA, tell them that's where you do most of your driving.
     
    #18 ftl, Jul 19, 2013
  19. PriusC-illa

    PriusC-illa Member

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    So weird
     
    #19 PriusC-illa, Jul 19, 2013
  20. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I am curious if you can do that last step (add NJ green discount to the NY Thruway EZ pass)
     
    #20 wjtracy, Jul 19, 2013
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