Glitch takes heavy toll on motorists

GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) - E-ZPass has been taking a heavy toll on thousands of it's loyal customers. The Thruway Authority is apologizing to commuters who got cut-off by mistake.

Joe and Pat Paolucci and their kids are captive users of E-ZPass, since you can't leave Grand Island without going over the toll bridges.

So when E-ZPass suspended their privileges for 60 days, accusing Joe of blowing through a toll barrier at 40 miles an hour, on his bike, then a three month suspension for speeding through at 44 miles an hour, Pat blew a gasket.

Pat Paolucci said, "My husband did not do that. We have lived on Grand Island for 25 years. We do not speed through there."

Joe Paolucci said, "I know enough to slow down through those barriers, and to me, that is just a ludicrous speed. It is ridiculous that anybody would even attempt to do that."

If you are wondering if E-ZPass can make the kind of mistake Joe and Pat are protesting, a few years ago, the Village of Orchard Park took issue with E-ZPass for ticketing their sidewalk snowplow, which never leaves town, for blowing through the Holland Tunnel tolls in New York City, and the Lincoln Tunnel.

Former Village Mayor Patricia Dickman said, "We had to chuckle over it, especially when the first one came, and claimed we've been in the Holland Tunnel."

And now, the Thruway Authority is sending out 3600 letters of apology to drivers whose privileges were suspended for blowing through the toll barrier at Fredonia, admitting speed sensors failed, and the equipment has since been replaced.

A New York State Thruway Authority phone message said, "And we have reduced your suspension to a warning."

After Pat and Joe sent a protest letter to the Thruway Authority, they got their suspensions lifted, too.

Pat Paolucci said, "Saying that they looked at our history; we do not have speeding tickets, or anything, and they will send us a warning. I will not accept a warning. I want an apology, just like everybody else."

E-ZPass is essentially a private collection agency for the New York Thruway Authority and highway boards in several other eastern states.

So if protesting to E-ZPass leaves you spinning your wheels, your best bet is to do as the Paolucci's did; put it in writing to the Thruway, in Albany.

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Complete statement from spokesman for the NYS Thruway Authority:

The loops in the pavement that detect the speed of the vehicle failed at Interchange 59 (Fredonia) several days ago. The equipment has since been replaced. The Authority advised the Service Center and all call takers to dismiss any speed issues that occurred during this time period. Any speed issues during this time period are being dismissed and each customer will be getting a letter to that effect.

As with any mechanical, electrical and/or technical equipment there are instances of failure, unfortunately. The Authority is not aware of any other locations experiencing failures within the loops.

The Authority regrets that this failure was not detected sooner. As such, any speed issues during this time period are being dismissed and each customer will be getting a letter to that effect, apologizing for the error. As a result of this matter, the Authority is in the process of identifying a method which will automatically detect anomalies in the E-ZPass speed enforcement system to better prevent erroneous speed notices from being sent to customers.

At any time a customer feels they received a letter in error, they can call the customer service center or the authority and the matter will be reviewed.

Dick Bennett
Office of Media Relations & Public Affairs