I think that for the most part that we've become used to the world of EZPass. In many ways, it makes life easier. However, EZPass can make life infuriating.

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Usually, my EZPass is in a compartment in my car and I forget about it. I whiz through the EZPass lanes no worries.

The other day I had to get my tag number to update some account information, so I brought it inside. You know what comes next. I left my EZPass in the house. By the time I realized I didn't have the tag, I was already on the GSP.

I pulled into this toll stop at Exit 105 and these were the options I had.

Jose Barrios via Facebook
Jose Barrios via Facebook
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Two EZPass lanes. That's not going to work. No EZPass in the car. Then, there's the exact change lane. I don't know about you, but I rarely have $1.90 in exact change in my car. Finally, there's the good old-fashioned full-service lane. The comfort blanket of toll lanes. There's only one problem. It was not open. I was left with only one option. Drive through the EZPass lane without my tag and get whacked with a summons. That's what I had to do.

By the way, this picture is from Jose Barrios a member of a local Facebook community group. Apparently, I'm not alone when it comes to this dilemma. The same thing happened to him. And from the looks of the comment section, this "full service" lane is never open.

It's not just this exit. This is a common issue at the Brick and Lakewood exits, 91 and 89 both north and south. Another annoying spot is up at 114.

When I get the summons in the mail, I'll just pay the $1.90. EZPass almost always waves the $50 fee attached. There are a couple of points.

First, there will be times when we need full-service lanes. I know EZPass was designed for convenience and better traffic flow, but it was also designed to eliminate jobs. Is it that big of an expense to staff those booths?

Secondly, nobody should be pressured into signing up for EZPass. No, I don't think it's "big brother's" way of tracking our every move, but we should have a choice.

Which Garden State Parkway tolls have full-service lanes that are always closed? Let me know. Matt@943thepoint.com.

It seems like full-service tolls are a thing of the past, just like these 50 popular retail chains that no longer exist.

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