Motorists without credit cards or bank accounts or those with privacy concerns will be able to buy SunPass and replenish their accounts with cash by the end of the year.
Turnpike officials plan to introduce a cash option for SunPass at Publix stores.
Here’s how it will work: When you buy a SunPass transponder, you will be given a keychain-size card with your account and transponder information, said Orlando Torres, the turnpike’s deputy director of toll operations. The keychain card will be similar to the customer rewards cards that are swiped when you check out at the cash register at some stores.
All you will have to do is tell the clerk how much money you want to put on your SunPass account and hand over the cash. The money will be transferred to your SunPass account when the clerk swipes your SunPass keychain card.
Officials hope the cash option will be popular with drivers who have not been able to buy SunPass because a credit card or checking account is required.
They also hope it lures people who have credit cards or a bank account but don’t want to share that information with the turnpike.
If that doesn’t persuade folks to get SunPass, officials have lowered the amount of prepaid tolls customers must put on their accounts when they sign up.
Before Tuesday, customers had to pay $25 plus tax for a transponder then prepay $25 in tolls. Now, they only have to prepay $10 in tolls, no matter which transponder they buy – the older $25 “hard case” transponder or the new $4.99 SunPass Mini.
The cheaper, smaller toll tag was unveiled Tuesday in South Florida. The tags are available at turnpike service plazas, Publix, Sedano’s and Navarro Pharmacy.
Customers will receive a $4.99 credit in tolls, which will make the new tags essentially free.
For more information, call 888-865-5352 or go two
Michael Turnbell can be reached at .
Details
Watch a video report on the SunPass Mini, then see graphics on the new cards and toll violators at sunpass
