TXDoT files lawsuits for big toll fines

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - A KXAN Austin News investigation has uncovered cases against dozens of local residents, some who face tens of thousands of dollars in fines. So far, the Texas Department of Transportation has brought legal action against 37 drivers.

Matthew Johnson is one of those who drives on the tolled portion of SH 130 in Williamson County. He said he had a toll tag but when the money ran out on it, he ended up with a bill more than 30 times what he actually used in tolls.

"I did not receive one toll charge in the mail,” Johnson said. “I don't know why."

What should have been $31 turned into $270 when he first received a bill he says came seven months after that driving period. The fines quickly mounted.

"I don't think adding $1,000 to $30 in toll charges is fair,” he said. “That's completely unreasonable."

With no warning, central Texas drivers say they have been getting similar bills - lawsuits, really. In east Williamson County’s Precinct 4, we found the ten most costly violators who have already gone through court and must now pay up.

For the 7,400 tolls that group missed - if they would have paid when they passed through - it would have been around $6,700. Now, with fines, they owe nearly $192,000

"If people have been using the toll road and they haven't been paying, they need to contact us, they need to get to us as quickly as they can,” said Chris Lippincott.

TXDoT says it has no plans to change the way it notifies violators - instead it is up to them. But it is something the agency will consider at its next Transportation Commission meeting on November 18.

KXAN has learned other precincts in both Williamson and Travis Counties are starting to get the lawsuits now. Precinct 4 was the first, with 212 charges filed so far.