In Minnesota's express toll lanes, scofflaws nearly outnumber E-ZPasses

MnDOT's E-ZPass system has a scofflaw problem. Nearly half of the vehicles use the express tolling lanes without permission, according to the latest quarterly report.

Why it matters: Aside from being unfair, the rising violation rate threatens to undermine the main goal of E-ZPass — managing congestion — while denying the system the toll revenues it needs to pay for itself.

Stunning stats: MnDOT estimated that 29% of vehicles using the lanes had neither a passenger nor an E-ZPass tag in FY2024, according to the annual report for that year.

• But more recent field observations suggest that vehicle "violation rates" have crept up across the system. On I-35W in the south metro, they're now pushing past 50%.

Between the lines: The toll lanes' primary goal isn't to make money; it's to improve traffic flow during peak times — just like a ramp meter, according to MnDOT spokesperson Anne Meyer.

• Even with high violation rates, E-ZPass lanes maintain higher traffic speeds than general lanes and reduce trip times by as much as 10 minutes during peak times, according to the latest annual report.

What we're watching: A February report from consulting firm AECOM detailed how MnDOT could use more automated tools — such as license plate readers and passenger-detecting cameras — to reduce E-ZPass violation rates.

• The report noted that the rollout would be costly — and could face legal hurdles and objections on privacy and civil liberties grounds.

Axios readers come clean on E-ZPass

Axios reader Steven learned his lesson in 2016.

• While commuting into downtown Minneapolis, he occasionally merged into the E-ZPass lane to cut through the congestion.

Finally, a state trooper pulled Steven over and asked why he had no pass.

• "I matter of factly replied, 'I didn't think I would get caught,'" he told us in an email. "The officer stifled a big laugh."

The big picture: The Minnesota State Patrol dedicates teams of troopers to E-ZPass enforcement.

• In 2024, those patrols pulled over nearly 6,000 vehicles, and cited or warned about half of those drivers for tolling violations, Meyer said.

"E-ZPass lane enforcement is no joke along 394," wrote reader Kyle F., who says it's typical to see two or three people each week pulled over in the E-ZPass lane.

Reality check: Most scofflaws aren't caught. In 2024, an estimated 11,000 violators used the lanes every day,

• "There doesn't seem to be any penalties for not being a paid user," wrote Marg P., who uses an E-ZPass to shorten her drive time to Lino Lakes.

Follow the money: Violators are dodging tolls that can jump as high as $8 per trip. (The average is about $1.14.)

• "It can be expensive on high congestion days," Teri I. said, "so it sucks getting charged for that convenience and others are jumping in hoping to not get caught."

Yes, but: Law-abiding E-ZPass users still praise their passes.

• "Just eases the travel issues significantly!" Rick said, adding that the modest cost is worth it "to gain the ease of driving in that lane when traffic sucks!"