She had a transponder on the windshield — however was nonetheless charged as if she didn’t

Q. Hi Honk. I acquired a toll violation discover from the 91 Express Lanes regarding 4 tolls from final month. The tolls had been for about $20 in complete, however the invoice, which we acquired within the mail, is now for $119.75 due to supposed violations. That shocked me. I known as up and was advised the officers had no report of us. But we maintain an outdated transponder within the glove field, and I put it on the windshield after we went to Texas Roadhouse in Corona – they’ve good steaks. I did assume to myself, “I didn’t hear the beep” from the transponder being picked up by the system. We obtained the transponder about 20 years in the past and used it often at first. I made a number of calls and was advised our account had been canceled final yr as a result of we hadn’t used it for some time. But I by no means obtained a discover about that, and if I had, I’d have pushed across the toll roads a bit to maintain the transponder energetic. I don’t thoughts paying the tolls, however $120? Can you assist a 78-year-old repair this?

– Joanne Caldara, Tustin

A. Let’s see right here if Honk may also help.

Because she traveled on two legs of the 91 Express Lanes, every operated by a distinct authorities, she obtained billed twice every approach. They say she didn’t have an energetic FasTrak account, in order that they dinged her a $25 penalty for every of the 4 legs traveled.

“If a driver doesn’t have an energetic account, we are going to then contact them via the handle on file with the DMV,” Megan Abba, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Transportation Authority, which is likely one of the concerned governments, advised Honk in an e mail.

And cost the automobile proprietor, Joanne on this case, for the tolls and the penalties.

But some excellent news, Joanne.

“If somebody doesn’t have an energetic account, they’ll contact customer support and request a one-time wavier from the businesses that ought to get rid of roughly half the tolls and penalties,” Abba stated.

It seems Joanne opened up her FasTrak account approach again when with The Toll Roads of Orange County to be used on the 73, 241, 133 and 261. Well, apparently following state legislation, her account was canceled sooner or later for having no exercise for 3 years. Although totally different governments oversee the totally different clusters of toll bridges and toll roads, providing totally different costs and reductions, all of them use the state-mandated FasTrak system.

Representatives with the Orange County Transportation Authority, and The Toll Roads, stated it’s best to have been advised, Joanne, that your account was being canceled.

“We encourage all accountholders to periodically name The Toll Roads Customer Service Center or log in to examine their account to make sure probably the most present mailing handle, billing info and autos are listed,” Michele Miller, a spokeswoman with The Toll Roads, advised Honk in an e mail. “Accessing your account retains it energetic within the system.”

Better information?

“We are completely happy to succeed in out to your reader to reinstate her account and resolve the excellent violation costs,” Miller stated.