Anna Maria Island Real Estate Sales Blog

Below is a recent release from SunPass, the folks who bring you smooth sailing under the electronic toll booths, using their electronic device to automatically pay tolls, parking at some locations and so forth.

With SunPass, one doesn't need to stop to pay tolls, but just zip right through, the toll amount being deducted from your established account. It's faster, more convenient for the driver, and less costly for the state.

More and more, we're seeing toll roads without toll booths. Locally, this is true on parts of the Crosstown Expressway, which runs between Pinellas County (St. Petersburg) and Interstate 4 in Hillsborough County (Tampa).

Why do I write about this?

Recently, a friend who visited Tampa a couple of times last month, and drove on the Crosstown (aka Leroy Selmon Expressway) without a SunPass device received a bill for almost $70 to cover his tolls.

Seems that if you don't have a SunPass and drive on a toll road, they take a photo of your automobile plates and send you a bill. Don't want to pay? They have resources to MAKE you pay, for example next time you go to renew your plates.

I advise you to get a SunPass, which you can purchase at most any big retail grocery store or pharmacy, establish an account and use it. Otherwise, it can get pretty darned expensive.

Bt the way, if you rent a car, ask in advance about SunPass and toll roads. You'll be better off if you do.

Here's the story:

Tolls without Toll Booths: Coming to Miami-Dade County

Beginning the weekend of February 19, 2011, you will experience the future of tolling on Florida's Turnpike between Milepost 0 in Florida City to Milepost 47 at the Miami-Dade/Broward County line. Welcome to The Less Stressway® in Miami-Dade County where Turnpike drivers pay tolls without stopping. That’s right...no toll booths...no slowing down. Just plenty of drive! As a SunPass customer, you will experience The Less Stressway with no change to the way you normally travel Florida's Turnpike. No stops, the lowest toll rates available and special perks like airport parking. Non-SunPass owners will not stop either, but they will pay a higher toll rate through the TOLL-BY-PLATE system. This system takes a photo of a license plate and mails a bill for the tolls, plus an additional administrative charge to the registered vehicle owner. Since you already enjoy the SunPass advantage and will get to experience The Less Stressway for the lowest rate, why not let your non-SunPass owning friends, family and neighbors in on the scoop? SunPass is available at thousands of locations, visit www.SunPass.com to find the one most convenient for you. SunPass can be purchased using cash, credit or debit card. You can also replenish your account with cash, credit or debit card. Be sure to tell your relatives and friends who rent a vehicle when they visit our state, that they are most likely able to become a part of the SunPass family as well; all they need to do is discuss their tolling options with their respective rental agent. We hope you enjoy all-electronic tolling on The Less Stressway in Miami-Dade County. And soon, we'll be announcing more Less Stressway expansions in the future. For details visit www.FloridasTurnpike.com. Thank you for being part of more than 5 million SunPass customers who choose Life in the SunPass Lane.

SunPass.com: Introducing a new, easier to navigate website

In addition to innovations on the road such as all-electronic tolling, SunPass has rolled out a new website. The new website launched in order to better meet the needs and expectations of our SunPass customers. Visit www.SunPass.com and you will see: Faster access to account information Improved ability to manage account updates and activate transponders real-time Larger icons to make it easier to get right where you want to go More user-friendly features And, you can access your SunPass account online, at anytime. Using www.SunPass.com lets you manage your account so you can replenish funds, update your personal and vehicle information, view your toll transactions and more. This new SunPass website was designed for you. If there is something we can do to make this site even better, give us your feedback. Customer satisfaction has always been the driving force at SunPass. Enjoy all the SunPass advantages now and as we expand all-electronic tolling.