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My funny (and expensive) tollway charges.

My funny (and expensive) tollway charges.

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by: cador Active Indicator LED Icon 10 OP 
~ 7 years ago   Apr 29, '16 10:32am  
Call me a cheapskate but when I bought my new car last year I didn't renew my easy tag because I got tired of sitting in traffic on the Toll road and paying for it-plus it just seems faster but it isn't most of the time (unless you're going somewhere right of the TW (which I'd pay in quarters on that rare occasion). Like if you're going somewhere off 59 S I can make it quicker just taking 59 all the way (especially coming home as the TW by Bellaire/Beechnut is like a parking lot most times around 5/6 o'clock).Working out well until I decided to get one again so I can use 99 when I need to. Plus I knew I went through the toll over the ship channel a cpl weeks ago and needed to pay that (didn't know it was easy tag only now until I saw the signs but was to late as I was not going to get off and take 610). Found out I have over $360 in tollway charges (I've moved and they sent them to my previous address) including the one from the ship channel and another one I had forgot where I got on the HOV lane for a 1/2 mile or so thinking it was I10 (23 cents turned into $40) but I have 18 50 cent charges getting on 45 S from 242 that have all turned into $360. That on ramp has a sign that has the toll symbol on it but knowing 45 isn't a toll I never knew what it meant until now. $360 lol.Bottom line-you definitely need an easy tag to motivate around Houston. There is no negotiation as I've googled it and the collection firm doesn't negotiate-there are a numerous complaints about the high collection charges (against the FDCPA rules but since they are gov't they are getting away with it). I'm gonna pay them so I can get an easy tag and not have registration issues (and not got to jail which I hear they can do if it gets to a certain point-remember the Rockets player who they took to jail for it).But around $12 in toll charges=over $360. Expensive! 4951
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Maisey1 Active Indicator LED Icon 9
~ 7 years ago   Apr 29, '16 10:48am  
My step son tried playing with hctra and lost bad. He noticed he wasn't getting charged for going through the tolls anymore and rather than calling to find out why, he just let it go, thinking he was getting away with something good. When their lawyers finally caught up with him he owed $3600! They explained that at one point his card payment was denied so they deactivated that card on file and sent him letters but since he didn't bother updating his address he never got the notices. The lawyer offered to settle with a one time payment of $1800 but he couldn't do that so he had to pay the entire amount off within one year. He called us crying and begging for help. We told him -sorry, lesson learned. 4951
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Retired_Engineer Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 7 years ago   Apr 29, '16 10:59am  
This reminds me to make sure we notified them that we got new credit cards a while back.  I used to drive the Beltway a lot when I worked but we kept the EZ tags for convenience. 4951
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cador Active Indicator LED Icon 10 OP 
~ 7 years ago   Apr 29, '16 11:55am  
My step son tried playing with hctra and lost bad. He noticed he wasn't getting charged for going through the tolls anymore and rather than calling to find out why, he just let it go, thinking he was getting away with something good. When their lawyers finally caught up with him he owed $3600! They explained that at one point his card payment was denied so they deactivated that card on file and sent him letters but since he didn't bother updating his address he never got the notices. The lawyer offered to settle with a one time payment of $1800 but he couldn't do that so he had to pay the entire amount off within one year. He called us crying and begging for help. We told him -sorry, lesson learned.
 
@Maisey1: There are numerous stories about that on the Web (involving not updating CC's more than just being dumb like me and can't read) like your boy's with even more $. It's a shame they can charge so much and not work with people. Some owe over 10K for a cpl hundred in toll charges. I called the HCTRA but since it's already went to the collection agency/atty's (same one's that collect for property taxes) she couldn't help me. I hear they (coll agency) are real tough to deal with (threatening and cocky) I'm not even going to call them and just pay it.I've always heard if you get a ticket w/out an easy tag you can get one and they will forgive the tickets. That's only if it is recent and haven't gone to collection which all of mine have.
4951
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Maisey1 Active Indicator LED Icon 9
~ 7 years ago   Apr 29, '16 12:03pm  

- - - - - - - -
>> My step son tried playing with hctra and lost bad. He noticed he wasn't getting charged for going through the tolls anymore and rather than calling to find out why, he just let it go, thinking he was getting away with something good. When their lawyers finally caught up with him he owed $3600! They explained that at one point his card payment was denied so they deactivated that card on file and sent him letters but since he didn't bother updating his address he never got the notices. The lawyer offered to settle with a one time payment of $1800 but he couldn't do that so he had to pay the entire amount off within one year. He called us crying and begging for help. We told him -sorry, lesson learned.
 
@Maisey1: There are numerous stories about that on the Web (involving not updating CC's more than just being dumb like me and can't read) like your boy's with even more $. It's a shame they can charge so much and not work with people. Some owe over 10K for a cpl hundred in toll charges. I called the HCTRA but since it's already went to the collection agency/atty's (same one's that collect for property taxes) she couldn't help me. I hear they (coll agency) are real tough to deal with (threatening and cocky) I'm not even going to call them and just pay it.I've always heard if you get a ticket w/out an easy tag you can get one and they will forgive the tickets. That's only if it is recent and haven't gone to collection which all of mine have.
 
@cador:
 
When he first called us we were considering helping him out because we knew of the hctra horror stories, but once he admitted that he knew what he was doing and let it go on for 6 months it was - sorry buddy. The fees they tack on are pretty outrageous and there is no negotiating with them if you can't pay it off immediately. 4951
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staylifted Active Indicator LED Icon 5
~ 7 years ago   Apr 29, '16 12:38pm  
I drove over ship channel bridge once and it cost me 35.00 in fees for 2.00 toll. Highway Robbery at its best ! 4951
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imadrummer2k Active Indicator LED Icon 3
~ 7 years ago   Apr 29, '16 1:27pm  
I have a friend who SWEARS he drives in the HOV lane by himself every day and always goes under the HOV lane instead of the toll lane and has never been charged. I take the 59 HOV lane home every day from downtown and always stick to the toll lane. I'm always tempted to go through the HOV lane just to see what would happen....but after reading this thread, I'll just leave well enough alone.  4951
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lisapisabobisa Active Indicator LED Icon 8
~ 7 years ago   Apr 29, '16 1:46pm  
They send a ton of emails when you need to update credit card info. 4951
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Chrisinkingwood Active Indicator LED Icon 8
~ 7 years ago   Apr 29, '16 1:54pm  
Eventually all toll roads will be with RFD chips in your cars, no cash lanes. Better just get used to it. 4951
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beadweaver Active Indicator LED Icon 8
~ 7 years ago   Apr 29, '16 2:01pm  
We got surprised with tolls from 242 also. Have no idea how we did it. Then over on mesa drive, we hot hit a couple times. No fees or fines but we wondered why our account was getting low.
True meaning of highway robbery.
We are never in that much of a hurry. So we don't take it much. It's (easy tag) basically is there for convenience. 4951
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fcabanski Active Indicator LED Icon 16
~ 7 years ago   Apr 30, '16 3:25am  
I get all around Houston without ever using a toll road. 4951
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cador Active Indicator LED Icon 10 OP 
~ 7 years ago   Apr 30, '16 12:12pm  
I get all around Houston without ever using a toll road.
 
@fcabanski: I thought I was to. You gotta admit-that's ridiculous for the ramp off 242 to 45 to be a toll. No tollroad anywhere around-just the ramp. Yea-it has a Toll symbol on the exit/entrance ramp but it's no explanatory enough for "some" of us. When I get an easy tag I'm still not using it-I'll go through the light instead of paying 50 cents a pop.
4951
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Chrisinkingwood Active Indicator LED Icon 8
~ 7 years ago   Apr 30, '16 12:19pm  
I thought I was to. You gotta admit-that's ridiculous for the ramp off 242 to 45 to be a toll. No tollroad anywhere around-just the ramp. Yea-it has a Toll symbol on the exit/entrance ramp but it's no explanatory enough for "some" of us. When I get an easy tag I'm still not using it-I'll go through the light instead of paying 50 cents a pop.
 
@cador: Not sure how you missed that, it was written up several times in local newspapers, both in print and online and even mentioned here. The key words are "managed lanes". Whenever you hear someone from TXDOT or our elected officials use that term for a new highway or interchange they are talking tolls. They are talking about putting in an upper deck expressway over on 610 between the SW freeway and 290 and it is supposed to be "managed lanes" which means if you want to avoid the traffic jam you have to pay the price.
4951
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Chrisinkingwood Active Indicator LED Icon 8
~ 7 years ago   Apr 30, '16 12:24pm  
I get all around Houston without ever using a toll road.
 
@fcabanski: More power to you! The toll roads ideally should not be the only way to get somewhere but an alternate route with a cost to drive. If I am headed from KW to Galveston I know I can always take 59 to the city and then 45 south but I'd much rather pay to take the east SH Tollroad. Less traffic and the police rarely bother you if you are at 70mph or lower.
4951
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Odin Active Indicator LED Icon 10
~ 7 years ago   Apr 30, '16 12:26pm  
Now that so many roads are toll, the call of the Libertarian cries out.Non libertarians have always used "roads" as one of the many excuses for big government.Well, if roads are 'pay to play', then why can't private companies run them (with zoning and planning requirements of course)?  Same with the metro bus system.  Privatize it.  Perhaps they'll end up with first class buses that serve cocktails on the way home from work. 4951
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DVaz Active Indicator LED Icon 8
~ 7 years ago   Apr 30, '16 12:49pm  
I refuse to pay tolls when there is the EZ Tag option.  Beltway 8 was supposed to be completely free after it was finished being built.I guess I'll see them in civil court.http://abc13.com/archive/8674303/ 4951
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