Peach Pass
{{Short description|Electronic toll collection system in Georgia, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Peach Pass
| logo = Peach Pass logo.png
| caption =
| type = Electronic toll-collection systems
| traded_as =
| predecessor = Cruise Card
| foundation = 2011
| founder =
| location_city = Atlanta, Georgia
| location_country =
| area_served = Georgia, Florida, North Carolina
| key_people =
| industry =
| products = RFID transponders
| services = Electronic toll collection
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| homepage = {{URL|https://peachpass.com/}}
| intl =
}}
Peach Pass is an electronic toll collection system in use in the U.S. state of Georgia, which is currently used primarily for high-occupancy toll lanes and express toll lanes on Interstate 75 (I-75), I-85, and I-575 in metropolitan Atlanta. Peach Pass can also be used on toll roads in Florida (SunPass), North Carolina (NC Quick Pass), and states that accepts E-ZPass (full interoperability as of January 19th, 2024.)
In the future, the Peach Pass toll system is expected to incorporate additional proposed express toll lanes along State Route 400 (SR 400) north of I-285, I-20 east and west of I-285, I-75 between I-675 and I-285, and around the perimeter of I-285 between major activity centers surrounding Atlanta, with the intent of easing traffic congestion for suburban commuters traveling inside perimeter city limits during peak commuting times. The goal is to keep traffic moving consistently above {{convert|45|mph|km/h}} in the express lanes and help reduce traffic congestion in the free lanes as well.{{Cite web |url = http://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/GEL |title = Express Lanes |publisher = Georgia Department of Transportation |access-date = March 7, 2019 |archive-date = March 8, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190308081016/http://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/GEL |url-status = dead }}
Design
Peach Pass is an RFID transponder in the form of a sticker that drivers put inside their windshields. Customers may either open a Peach Pass account with a minimum deposit of $20 replenished by a major credit card or debit card,{{Cite web |url = https://www.peachpass.com/how-do-i-get-a-peach-pass/ |title = How do I get a Peach Pass? |publisher = Peach Pass |language = en-US |access-date = March 7, 2019 }} or purchase a "Pay n GO!" Peach Pass at participating CVS or Walgreens locations for $2.50 with an initial deposit of at least $20.{{Cite web |url = https://www.peachpass.com/how-do-i-get-a-peach-pass/pay-n-go-peach-pass/ |title = Pay n GO! Peach Pass |publisher = Peach Pass |language = en-US |access-date = March 7, 2019 }}
Interoperability
Georgia's Peach Pass currently works with similar systems in Florida and North Carolina.{{Cite web |url = https://www.peachpass.com/where-can-i-use-peach-pass/additional-states/ |title = Additional States |publisher = Peach Pass |language = en-US |access-date = March 7, 2019 }} NationalPass users may use Georgia's facilities as well as those outside the state.{{cite news |url = http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=79524 |title = TransCore launches service to offer toll interoperability across the USA |date = May 23, 2016 |work = Traffic Technology Today }} PeachPass was originally to be compatible with E-ZPass by 2021,{{Cite web |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/floridas-turnpike-enterprise-and-the-state-road-and-tollway-authority-of-georgia-to-join-e-zpass-network-301088122.html|title= State Road and Tollway Authority of Georgia to Join E-ZPass in 2021 |date= October 7, 2020}} but that date has since been pushed to the 2nd quarter of 2022.{{cite web |title=E-ZPass Group - GA |url=https://www.e-zpassiag.com/31-about-e-zpass/map/102-ga |publisher=E-ZPass Interagency Group |access-date=3 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103204549/https://www.e-zpassiag.com/31-about-e-zpass/map/102-ga |archive-date=3 January 2022 |url-status=live}} In July 2023, they expanded interoperability with the following E-ZPass states: Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, and Rhode Island. Peach Pass became fully interoperable with the E-ZPass system as of January 2024. {{cite web |url=https://peachpass.com/e-zpass/ |title=Peach Pass & E-ZPass: Your Passport to Travel |access-date = January 19, 2024 }}
History
The Peach Pass is the successor to the Georgia Cruise Card, which was used for electronic toll collection at the former toll plaza on SR 400 in Buckhead before tolls were removed in 2013.{{Cite web |url = https://www.myajc.com/news/local/peach-pass-letter-confuses-commuters/MJt9kdHUZyY4c6yYT5gKhN/ |title = Peach Pass letter confuses commuters |last = Katie |first = Leslie |date = May 31, 2011 |website = The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language = en |access-date = March 7, 2019 }}
Accepted locations in Georgia
- I-75/I-575 Northwest Corridor Express Lanes (between I-285 and Acworth/Canton)
- I-75 South Metro Express Lanes (between McDonough and I-675)
- I-85 Express Lanes and Express Lanes Extension (between I-285 and northeastern Gwinnett County){{Cite web |url = https://www.peachpass.com/where-can-i-use-peach-pass/ |title = Where can I use Peach Pass? |publisher = Peach Pass |language = en-US |access-date = March 7, 2019 }}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.peachpass.com/}}