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Hernando Today
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SunPass Mini Has Big Debut
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Published: July 3, 2008
It's here.
The all-new, slimmer, sleeker and (above all) cheaper SunPass Mini electric transponder went on sale for the first time Tuesday at Publix.
The response has been toll-riffic.
"It went like gangbusters," said Christa Deason, spokeswoman for Florida's Turnpike.
Deason said her office recorded 2,885 SunPass Mini activations in the first 33 hours of its debut. This new electronic toll-recording "sticker tag" sells for $4.99.
Deason said the low price is an obvious factor for the sales spurt. Customers who buy the new sticker tag and complete the registration process, including opening an account with a minimum $10 balance, will automatically receive a $4.99 rebate. Roughly the size of a credit card, the SunPass mini will automatically deduct tolls as motorists use the pass-through lanes on any of Florida's turnpikes. The smaller-sized unit is nontransferable from vehicle to vehicle, so multiple SunPass users in the family will have to buy more than one device if they want them for their entire fleet.
The existing $25 "hardcase" transponders will continue to be available for customers who prefer the light and audible tone options and the portability aspect.
With the tough economy, Deason said many people were unwilling to shell out $25 for the original unit. Plus, they had to open their account with another $25.
"People wanted to participate but did not want to lay out all that money at once," she said. Turnpike officials have also reduced the opening minimum balance on the hardcase units to $10, just like the mini version.
Deason admits some people may still want to buy the larger units because they like the assurance of hearing the beep go off
when they go through toll plazas.
The SunPass Mini doesn't beep. The only indication drivers have that the toll was deducted from their account is seeing the green light switch on at the site.
Deason said she expects to sell another 600,000 of the mini units by the end of the year. For people who already have the original unit and want to switch, all they have to do is call SunPass to activate their new account and add the mini.
One word of warning for people who install the SunPass Mini on their windshield: Don't forget to take out the old hardcase model. Otherwise, drivers will pay twice for tolls.
Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.
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