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 — and to deny 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.

• But field observations from late 2025 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 reader Steven learned his lesson in 2016.

• While commuting into downtown Minneapolis, he would occasionally merge into the E-ZPass lane to cut around 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 pulled over each week.

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

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 user Rick said the modest cost is worth it to "to gain the ease of driving in that lane when traffic sucks!"

• "Just eases the travel issues significantly!" he wrote.

Share with your favorite toll lane troll

Target reported "stronger than expected" sales numbers this morning, posting a 5.6% increase in comparable sales in the first quarter. The retailer also revised sales projections upward.

Why it matters: After years of uneven performance, the earnings report is an encouraging sign for the retailer's push to recapture the "Tar-zhay" ethos that first made it distinctive — with affordable style and culturally relevant merchandise.

Go deeper

🚔 Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt filed papers to run for a second term. (WCCO Radio)

• Witt told the station she was approached about running for governor or taking a job with "another municipality," but that she "kind of like[s] the sheriff thing, so I'm going to stick with it."

💹 Federal authorities sued Minnesota in hopes of blocking a newly enacted state law that outlaws prediction markets like Kalshi or Polymarket. (Minnesota Reformer)

✈️ MSP Airport officials plan a major shakeup of both terminals' food and drink offerings. They're taking applications to open 47 new venues by 2029. (Star Tribune)

⚾️ Slumping former No. 1 pick Royce Lewis was demoted to the minors by the Twins, who also placed catcher Ryan Jeffers on the injured list. (ESPN)

👋 Best wishes to editor-in-chief Dirk DeYoung, who announced he will retire after more than 30 years at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Minneapolis still boasts the nation's third-best city park system, and St. Paul reclaimed the No. 4 spot in the Trust for Public Land's latest ranking.

• TPL's annual report ranks the park systems of the 100 most populous U.S. cities across five categories: access, acreage, amenities, equity, and investment.

Explore the rankings

Want to be the star of your own cooking show? This historic Minneapolis home has the kitchen for you.

Driving the news: Twin Cities baker, cookbook author and television host Zoë François just put her home on the market — and you may recognize that chef's kitchen as the backdrop of her HBO Max show "Zoë Bakes."

Why we love it: Built in 1902 and located near the lakes area of Minneapolis, the two-part chef's kitchen features high-end appliances, including a double wall oven and two refrigerators, plus a butler's pantry, marble counters and butcher block island.

• The home's stained glass windows, wood wainscoting and grand staircase have also been meticulously restored by François and her husband.

Plus: The third floor can serve as guest living quarters or an independent rental unit.

Take a look around

Kyle here. My family spent last week in Europe, but home never seemed too far away.

🇪🇸 In Barcelona, we saw two (2!) Anthony Edwards jerseys on the streets.

• Maybe it shouldn't have shocked me; Ant does rank 6th in NBA jersey sales.

🇫🇷 In Nice, we spotted a restaurant called Maison Margaux. (We suspect the North Loop spot is better.)

• Plus: We stayed near an 11th-century hilltop city called … St. Paul.

The kicker: The Enterprise employee who rented cars to us in France grew up in Minnesota.

The bottom line: Minnesota is everywhere you look.