Massachusetts E-ZPass is renamed E-ZPass

[John S]

14 years after choosing a very stupid name for its E-ZPass program,
Massachusetts is renaming it to E-ZPass.
http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2012/05/toll-plaza-signs-e-zpass-replaces-fast-lane.html
All of a sudden, they realized that confusing out-of-state drivers by
calling E-ZPass lanes Fast Lane lanes is a bad idea. $1.2 million
later, all the signs will soon say E-ZPass.

"Fast Lane" was the name of the ETC, not the actual travel lanes. They
didn't change the name from Fast Lane because of confusion, they did it
because FHWA guidelines prevent advertising on road signs, and the Fast
Lane name was sponsored. Of course FHWA guidelines prevent a whole
number of Massachusetts road "features."

The important thing is that the Massachusetts Turnpike + Tobin Bridge
were and are part of the E-ZPass network since the late 1990s. iPass
and iZoom are also part of the E-ZPass network and people use them
without trouble when coming from outside of their respective states.

$1.2 M to change some signs is a rip off. Typical Mass and connected
bidders.

[John W Gintell]

14 years after choosing a very stupid name for its E-ZPass program,
Massachusetts is renaming it to E-ZPass.
http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2012/05/toll-plaza-signs-e-zpass-replaces-fast-lane.html
All of a sudden, they realized that confusing out-of-state drivers by
calling E-ZPass lanes Fast Lane lanes is a bad idea. $1.2 million
later, all the signs will soon say E-ZPass.

"Fast Lane" was the name of the ETC, not the actual travel lanes. They didn't
change the name from Fast Lane because of confusion, they did it because FHWA
guidelines prevent advertising on road signs, and the Fast Lane name was
sponsored. Of course FHWA guidelines prevent a whole number of Massachusetts
road "features."
The important thing is that the Massachusetts Turnpike + Tobin Bridge were and
are part of the E-ZPass network since the late 1990s. iPass and iZoom are also
part of the E-ZPass network and people use them without trouble when coming from
outside of their respective states.
$1.2 M to change some signs is a rip off. Typical Mass and connected bidders.

It still amazes me that these various states actually chose compatible systems
so one device works for multiple systems. Too bad public transit didn't do the same.

[Jimmy]

Post by John W Gintell
It still amazes me that these various states actually chose compatible systems
so one device works for multiple systems. Too bad public transit didn't do the same.

On the plus side, more and more transit agencies in Massachusetts have
quietly started accepting CharlieCards. In addition to the MBTA, it's
accepted by the LRTA (Lowell), BAT (Brockton), MWRTA (Framingham),
MRTA (Fitchburg), and WRTA (Worcester). It's planned for the SRTA
(New Bedford) and MVRTA (Lawrence).

Jimmy

[Jimmy]

Post by Jimmy
On the plus side, more and more transit agencies in Massachusetts have
quietly started accepting CharlieCards.  In addition to the MBTA, it's
accepted by the LRTA (Lowell), BAT (Brockton), MWRTA (Framingham),
MRTA (Fitchburg), and WRTA (Worcester).  It's planned for the SRTA
(New Bedford) and MVRTA (Lawrence).

MVRTA supposedly takes CharlieCards already. So does CATA (Cape Ann).

Jimmy

[Jimmy]

Post by John S

14 years after choosing a very stupid name for its E-ZPass program,
Massachusetts is renaming it to E-ZPass.
http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2012/05/toll-plaza-signs-...
All of a sudden, they realized that confusing out-of-state drivers by
calling E-ZPass lanes Fast Lane lanes is a bad idea.  $1.2 million
later, all the signs will soon say E-ZPass.

"Fast Lane" was the name of the ETC, not the actual travel lanes.

That's confusing.

Post by John S
They didn't change the name from Fast Lane because of confusion, they did it
because FHWA guidelines prevent advertising on road signs, and the Fast
Lane name was sponsored.

Well, it *was* confusing.

And the VMSes on the Pike often said "E-ZPass Use Fast Lane". (Never
mind that if you reached that sign on the mainline and didn't already
know to use a Fast Lane lane with your E-ZPass, you *shouldn't* use a
Fast Lane lane when you exit, since you'd have a ticket, and no
electronic record of entry.)

And in the press release, the MassDOT secretary said, “Driver
hesitation and confusion can jeopardize safety at our toll plazas. We
want the general public and our 1.7 million transponder holders to
know that E-ZPass and Fast Lane are now one in the same.”

Post by John S
 iPass and iZoom are also part of the E-ZPass network and people use them
without trouble when coming from outside of their respective states.

How do you know how many people are or aren't confused by having a
different name for the same thing?

Jimmy

[Jim Ellwanger]

In article

And in the press release, the MassDOT secretary said [...] "one in
the same.²

Nice to see that their press-release copy editing is on par with their
toll lane naming.

[John S]

Post by Jimmy

Post by John S

14 years after choosing a very stupid name for its E-ZPass program,
Massachusetts is renaming it to E-ZPass.
http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2012/05/toll-plaza-signs-...
All of a sudden, they realized that confusing out-of-state drivers by
calling E-ZPass lanes Fast Lane lanes is a bad idea. $1.2 million
later, all the signs will soon say E-ZPass.

"Fast Lane" was the name of the ETC, not the actual travel lanes.

That's confusing.

Post by John S
They didn't change the name from Fast Lane because of confusion, they did it
because FHWA guidelines prevent advertising on road signs, and the Fast
Lane name was sponsored.

Well, it *was* confusing.
And the VMSes on the Pike often said "E-ZPass Use Fast Lane". (Never
mind that if you reached that sign on the mainline and didn't already
know to use a Fast Lane lane with your E-ZPass, you *shouldn't* use a
Fast Lane lane when you exit, since you'd have a ticket, and no
electronic record of entry.)

Agreed. Dumb. I guess they have to put *something* on those federally
subsidized electric signs, since they can't be bothered to put traffic
information and travel times on them, unlike other states.

Post by Jimmy
And in the press release, the MassDOT secretary said, “Driver
hesitation and confusion can jeopardize safety at our toll plazas. We
want the general public and our 1.7 million transponder holders to
know that E-ZPass and Fast Lane are now one in the same.”

Funny how they suddenly became concerned about confusion after how many
years??

Post by Jimmy

Post by John S
iPass and iZoom are also part of the E-ZPass network and people use them
without trouble when coming from outside of their respective states.

How do you know how many people are or aren't confused by having a
different name for the same thing?

Lack of confused driving at iPass/iZoom tolls, unlike in Mass where I've
seen people stop and sometimes BACK UP! at tolls. Somehow I don't think
rebranding will improve Massachusetts driving skills, but we shall see.

[Pete from Boston]

Too bad the MBTA hasn't figured out how to convince its own commuter rail partner to accept the Charlie Card.

[Jimmy]

Post by Pete from Boston
Too bad the MBTA hasn't figured out how to convince its own commuter rail partner to accept the Charlie Card.

It's not a simple issue just requires convincing someone. Taking
CharlieCards on the Commuter Rail would be a huge and expensive
project, involving a lot of hardware and software design of handheld
devices that don't exist yet, and the installation and ongoing
maintenance of very expensive ticket machines at more than 120
stations.

Jimmy