ORLANDO, Fla. – If you are one of the few who still pays for tolls with change, you will soon need to “pay by plate” or use a transponder on one Central Florida highway system, at least for nighttime travel.
Starting April 22, the Central Florida Expressway Authority will no longer accept cash payments overnight between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
News 6 met some Central Florida drivers who do not seem to miss the days when cash was the only option.
“When’s the last time you paid for a toll with cash?” News 6 Reporter Stephanie Rodriguez asked local driver Joe Hennessy.
“Eight, nine years. I’ve had the SunPass forever,” Hennessy said.
“Do you remember the days when cash was the only option?” Rodriguez asked.
“Yeah, I remember being in line behind people trying to get to Disney World and waiting for them to dig out their change,” Hennessy said.
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Drivers are encouraged to get a transponder if they do not already have one. According to the Central Florida Expressway Authority, around 98% of customers pay tolls using transponders such as E-PASS or SunPass.
“Why do you prefer the SunPass over cash?” Rodriguez asked driver Donnita Patterson.
“You don’t have to get stuck in line behind somebody making change. It’s faster,” Patterson explained.
If you do not have a transponder and pass through the toll system at night, an official “pay by plate” invoice will be sent to you in the mail.
The Central Florida Expressway Authority wants to remind drivers that they will never text or call about outstanding balances, so drivers should be cautious of any texts claiming they need to pay.
