NH Gets the EZ Pass

This is long overdue, but better late than never. Hopefully it will help ease traffic headed north for summer weekends.

The full info is below - here are the highlights :

1. Devices ordered today will arrive in mid-July.
2. Hookset is expected to be online first - again, in mid-July.
3. Discount for NH E-Z Pass Accounts will be 30% (vs 50% for tokens).
4. MA Fast Lane Accounts will work, but no discount will be given.

Bottom Line: I've ordered NH EZ Pass transponders for both our cars, but will probably continue to use tokens in non-traffic conditions.

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On June 2, 2005, a resolution to move forward with the implementation of E-ZPass was approved by Governor John Lynch and the Executive Council.

No transponders will be distributed from the walk-in centers during the initial enrollment period. All transponders purchased will be mailed to customers between the first and second week of July. The activation of the E-ZPass electronic tolling on the New Hampshire Turnpike System is expected to be phased in over several weeks, beginning with the Hooksett Tolls in mid-July. Under New Hampshire’s E-ZPass program, private accounts will receive a 30% discount with each toll transaction.

The highlights of the approved resolution are as follows:

• Transponders (both private and commercial) will be sold for $5.00 each until May 1, 2006. The cost for transponders after May 1, 2006 will be at the wholesale price to the State.
• There will be no monthly account maintenance fee.
• Monthly statements will be available via the internet for free or to receive home or business mailings at a cost of $1.00 per month for private accounts and $2.00 per month for commercial accounts.
• The discount rate for private NH E-ZPass accounts (4 transponders or less) has been set at 30%.
• The discount rate for commercial NH E-ZPass accounts (5 transponders or more) has been set at 10%.
• Only NH E-ZPass accounts with NH transponders will receive a discount when the E-ZPass system is used for toll fare payment at NH toll plazas.
• E-ZPass Transponders from other states (Maine, Fast Lane (MA), NY etc.) will work at NH toll plazas when the system is deployed.
• NH Turnpike tokens will continue to be sold and accepted for toll fare payment until July 1, 2007.
• The token discount will remain at 50%.
• E-ZPass is a prepaid system.
• Private accounts, with one to two transponders on the account, will require an initial toll revenue deposit of $30.00.
• Private accounts, with three to four transponders on the account, will require an initial toll revenue deposit of $60.00.
• Commercial accounts (5 or more transponders) will require an initial prepaid toll revenue deposit of $75.00 per transponder on the account.

It is anticipated that on June 20, 2005, customers will be able to open E-ZPass accounts via the internet, phone, fax or local NH walk-in centers located in Hooksett, Nashua and Seabrook, NH.

http://www.nh.gov/dot/turnpikes/ezpass.htm

and

http://www.ezpassnh.com/static/faq/index.shtml

80's Wish List

I was born in the 60's, grew up in the 70's, but I'm really a product of the 80's when it comes to music. Don't get me wrong, I love music from earlier (Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton, etc.) and later (Rusted Root, DMB, etc.), but music from the 80's really brings me back.

My iPod has given me new ways to capture, store and listen to 80's music. I listen to iTunes radio at work, keep track of songs I like but don't own and then download them onto my machine at home in the evening. The problem is iTunes doesn't have them all in their library. Here's my current wish list of 80's tunes (some are from the last couple of days and I haven't checked for them on iTunes yet):

The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star
Timbuk 3 - The Future's So Bright (I've Got to Wear Shades)
Vanity 6 - Nasty Girls
Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl
Slade - Run, Runaway
Nails - 88 Lines about 44 Women
Almost Famous Soundtrack
Wall of Voodoo - Mexican Radio
Duran Duran - My Own Way (Night Version)
Polecats - Make a Circuit with Me
Taco - Puttin on the Ritz
Hall and Oats - You Make My Dreams Come True
Pete Townsend - Let My Love Open the Door
Pat Benatar - Innocence
The Vapors - Turning Japanese
When in Rome - The Promise
Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy

I imagine I could look elsewhere (Napster, et al), but it just isn't as easy as iTunes.

(8/20 update: Thanks to Matt S for helping trim this list a lot!)

Road Rally Posting

I'm posting a lot over on my Road Rally 2005 blog and adding descriptions to photos on Flickr. Check them out the see what you're missing.