For Immediate Release: February 1, 2006

THRUWAY AUTHORITY: CAPITAL REGION AUTOMOBILE CLUBS TO PARTICIPATE IN ON-THE-GO E-ZPASS TAG SALES PROGRAM
Several AAA Locations approved as retailers to sell the On-the-Go tags

The New York State Thruway Authority announced today AAA Hudson Valley and AAA Northway will distribute E-ZPass tags through the Thruway's new E-ZPass On-the-Go program.

"This program is another in the line of enhanced customer service improvements being implemented at the Thruway, such as improved E-ZPass signing and additional E-ZPass lanes," said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer.  "Through the On-the-Go program, Thruway customers can purchase an E-ZPass tag at off-Thruway retail locations, such as AAA Service Centers, and begin using it instantly. In addition to the discount E-ZPass offers over cash, and the continued operational improvements being implemented Thruway-wide, further expanding the availability of On-the-Go makes getting E-ZPass more attractive than ever, especially in the Capital Region.”

Under this new initiative, AAA will be selling E-ZPass On-the-Go tags to consumers, with the consumer receiving the full $25 credit of the purchase price of the tag on their account. AAA will be selling E-ZPass On-the-Go tags for $23 to AAA members and $25 to non-members.

 “AAA Northway and AAA Hudson Valley are pleased to be one of the inaugural locations offering the E-ZPass On-the-Go program - both to the public and its members”, said Eric Stigberg, spokesperson for AAA Northway. “This new innovative way to obtain an E-ZPass Tag will allow our busy members to conveniently open an E-ZPass account.”

Upon purchasing an On-the-Go tag, customers will receive a pre-paid E-ZPass tag worth $25 that will be active upon purchase. E-ZPass provides a savings of 10% over cash on all Thruway tolls for passenger vehicles. On-the-Go tags are currently not available for commercial vehicles.

Today, E-ZPass is used by 20 transportation agencies in 10 Northeastern states. More than 2.2 million Thruway customers currently use E-ZPass and more than 6.6 million New York State E-ZPass tags are in use today. Since the Authority launched the E-ZPass On-the-Go program in May 2004, more than 26,400 On-the-Go tags have been sold for passenger vehicle use.

Customers with E-ZPass are reminded that in addition to receiving a 10 percent discount on tolls, they can also sign up for a number of E-ZPass commuter discount plans for bridges and toll barriers throughout New York State.

Additional information about all E-ZPass Discount Plans is available online at: www.thruway.state.ny.us/ezpass/discount.html.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, the American Automobile Association (AAA) provides its nearly 49 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automobile-related services. AAA Hudson Valley & AAA Northway, each formed over 100 years ago, proudly serves the Capital District, North Country and Hudson Valley Regions, and has offices in Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, Troy, Hudson, Amsterdam, Queensbury & Plattsburgh. For more information on AAA’s products and services, visit www.aaa.com.

“Both AAA clubs are strong supporters of the Thruway’s E-Z Pass program,” said Tammy Melo, spokesperson of AAA Hudson Valley. “Using an E-ZPass Tag when traveling through a toll booth helps reduce distracted driving.”

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Note to Media: For an audio sound byte on this release, pre-recorded by Spokesman Patrick Noonan, please call 1-866-239-2845 and select the "E-ZPass" option.

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