Invisble Toll Boths

[HotHolly]

OK, I thought this was a joke. I got a bill for a 60 cent toll road in Austin. After fees, I have to pay $2.20. If I pay by credit card or e-check, they tack on another $2.50 in processing fees. What the heck!?!?! I thought the envelope was junk mail and almost threw it out. Then I figured we musta blown through a toll. Not sure where I was mentally, b/c I didnt notice or recall blowing a toll booth. Turns out, no - we didnt blow the toll booth. This is the toll both of the future. Its not there. The state bills you later and after all the fees, it more than doubles the toll. How insane is that? Sorry, I just thought it was totally nuts. At least post a sign or something!

[RightAngle]

Yeah, the toll by itself wont cover the envelope, paper, and postage so we need fees!... There is one just like that up around DFW on SH121. I think its absolutely ridiculous.

[HotHolly]

Whats wrong the change only toll booths? I had 60 cents. Now I have to write a check and pay postage too. Is this just Texas doing this? Just wondering if its the toll booth of the future or if they plan on arresting everyone who throws out the bill. I liked the legal stuff they put on the bottom of the letter.

Do they tack on the $2.50 if I pay it online? - Apparently so. Never mind.

[LegacyPhotographic]

Well, the one on 121 referred to is slightly different... if you already have any sort of toll tag or toll sticker for any toll road in Tx, it automatically transfers to that acct. If not, then yes, it mails a bill to the address the vehicle is registered to. Personally, I like it because I dont have to mess with toll booths, but as mentioned, I have a toll tag, so it isn't a huge deal.

I can definitely see the annoyance if you dont.. all the fees, having to mess with mailing, etc as you guys have discussed would drive me crazy. I get enough bills in the mail as it is!

[PIC]

Invisble Toll Boths ???
I don't see it,
can u take a picture ?

EL

[sioleabha]

Is there a website where we can find out more about this?

[HotHolly]

I assumed I was outa the loop living in Abilene. We have no toll roads.

This is the website they gave me. Apparently its only for the Austin toll road. www.paytexastoll.com. They said it is to keep congestion to a min, but I think making people that didnt have the toll tag or didnt know about pay 2x as much for the toll is insane. Im not in a metro area, so maybe it doesnt bug anyone else. Just thought it was an odd way to bill a toll. Its not like I hid in the FastPass lane and skipped out on the toll. Im getting over it. Mailed me check. Just wondering if there are more toll bills floating around that I threw out. MSB - write STATE OF TEXAS on the envelope! OK, Im done.

[Atfulldraw]

I think I heard that now all the toll roads in Texas can use the same tolltag -- just went through Austin and my tag worked on the loop there.

[andyz]

I would guess this is like the red light cameras. A private company handles everything and the local government (town, county, state, etc.) gets a small cut. The company does everything so the government entity has little to lose and a lot to gain. And the car owner foots the bill. That is win-win-lose so guess who gets the bucks.

[atnlegacy]

I'm in the Houston area and have a toll tag on my car...need it for all the driving around town. There are certain toll roads that you must have a toll tag to drive on, because there are no manned toll booths, just electronic monitors at certain points. These roads are also clearly marked that you must have toll tag before you get on the road....not sure about the Austin ones.
The toll tag works for all Texas toll roads -- was in Dallas last year and used it there and guess I'll be using it in Austin now...LOL

[TXhummer2]

The toll at 183 and Lakeline is TexTag only. That is North Austin. The big sign saying "TexTag only" was placed for those driving 45 in a 70. If you are driving 70+, you get snail mail toll bill.....

[mattman]

Originally Posted by PIC

Invisble Toll Boths ???
I don't see it,
can u take a picture ?

EL

They're built by vampires... Oh wait....that's mirrors....

mattman

[kenw]

if you go to austin a few times a year, go ahead and get the tag. It costs $15, you have to preload it with $25 worth (IIRC) but it doesn't expire that I know of. And it will work in all the "Big Cities"....;)

In Houston, using the tag gets you a 25-cent discount at most tollbooths (by using the tag lanes instead of choking up the attended lanes). The WestPark tollroad was tag-only from day 1.

I am using the tag to the tune of $5 per day.....5 days a week, etc....yeah, I paid for the tag with the discount a loooong time ago....

[TXhummer2]

but...Wait! There is breaking news!

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/st...3/daily28.html

[snidow]

I know I received a bill the other day with dates going back to 2007, it's still easier then paying the toll at the time but all the other fees are crazy. Should just be built into the toll cost.