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Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
thisisajokeright
()
Date: March 13, 2014 09:24AM
MCLEAN, Va. -- A Fairfax County, Va. man who commutes on the 495 Express Lanes each day was sent a court summons and told he'd have to pay $6,000 in tolls, penalties and fees, WTOP Ticketbuster has learned.
Todd Metheny commutes from Springfield to McLean. He says the trip often took more than an hour on the Capital Beltway, but now takes less than 20 minutes on the 495 Express Lanes. But in January 2013, a problem with his E-ZPass account caused an overdraft in his account.
"I got a letter in the mail saying, 'We weren't able to charge you for the toll, shame on you. Take care of it immediately. Future violations will result in administrative penalties.' But by the time I got it, the future already happened," says Metheny.
He says he called Transurban in late January, in February and in April of 2013. Each time, he sent documents from his E-ZPass account to Transurban, the private company that operates the 495 Express Lanes in a public-private partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
But in mid-April, Metheny received a collections letter from Transurban. He called Transurban again on April 24.
"When I got the collections letter, I realized that about $11 now turned into nearly $800 in fines. I came unglued. Pick a word and I probably used it," says Metheny.
Transurban agreed to research his case and call him back. But the agency never did. Metheny continued to use the 495 Express Lanes in 2013 and early 2014 without a problem. He says he didn't hear anything from Transurban and assumed the agency just took the money out of his E-ZPass account.
But two weeks ago, Metheny opened up his mailbox and found six summons to appear in Fairfax County District Court for the last week in March. Transurban was taking him to court because he went six months in collections without paying.
"My math was that I was going to pay $4,800. But I found out after speaking with a customer service representative that the total fees and penalties at court would be about $6,000. It shocked me beyond belief. That's when I was floored and besides myself. I didn't know what to do. I was scared," says Metheny.
Transurban offered him a settlement of $1,100 to avoid court, but he declined and asked to speak to a supervisor. He also contacted WTOP Ticketbuster.
"I could have just brushed it under the rug. I could have ignored their correspondence. I called, asked them what they needed, called again, gave them documents, told them how to reach me. But I heard nothing, nothing at all," he says.
Transurban spokesman Mike McGurk says Transurban dropped the ball. He denies that Metheny called before April 2013, but agrees that a customer service representative agreed to research his case and promised to call him back.
"We certainly regret the error. We've looked into our notes and it shows the supervisor agreed to follow up via email within 48 hours. Mr. Metheny requested to have someone call him, so we agreed to have someone call him. I'm not sure why the supervisor didn't make the call, but clearly we did not hold up our promise," says McGurk.
Last week, Transurban agreed to rescind the six court summons against Metheny and start over again from the point where the communication breakdown occurred.
"Recognizing that Mr. Metheny was awaiting a call back from our supervisor to close out his case - which is why he would not take action to pay the invoices, thus why the invoices continued to escalate - we will pull him out of the courts. We will also pull him from collections. In acknowledgment of our mistake in failing to follow up with a supervisor phone call to close out the issue with Mr. Metheny, we will pull him back to the fee he was facing on the second invoice," says McGurk.
Transurban called Metheny on Tuesday, apologized, and offered to settle with Metheny for $200. Metheny agreed to the deal and his case is closed.
"It was a very scary thought that I would be in court for something so convenient. All in all it has been an eye-opening experience and I am glad this has been put behind me," says Metheny.
He says he'll continue to use the 495 Express Lanes each day, but will be more careful to make sure his E-ZPass account is replenished and his credit card is updated and active.
"The vast majority of customers are using the 495 Express Lanes the right way with a properly mounted E-ZPass and enough funds in their account. But customers should be aware that those two things are necessary.
"Customers should also be aware that E-ZPass and the 495 Express Lanes are not the same thing. If you ever have a problem, you should call us at Transurban before it goes into collections," says McGurk.
If you think you're the victim of a bogus speed camera, red-light camera or parking ticket in D.C., Maryland or Virginia, WTOP may be able to help you cut the red tape. Email WTOP your case - along with documentation - to ticketbuster@wtop.com.
______________
resident witch
Todd Metheny commutes from Springfield to McLean. He says the trip often took more than an hour on the Capital Beltway, but now takes less than 20 minutes on the 495 Express Lanes. But in January 2013, a problem with his E-ZPass account caused an overdraft in his account.
"I got a letter in the mail saying, 'We weren't able to charge you for the toll, shame on you. Take care of it immediately. Future violations will result in administrative penalties.' But by the time I got it, the future already happened," says Metheny.
He says he called Transurban in late January, in February and in April of 2013. Each time, he sent documents from his E-ZPass account to Transurban, the private company that operates the 495 Express Lanes in a public-private partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
But in mid-April, Metheny received a collections letter from Transurban. He called Transurban again on April 24.
"When I got the collections letter, I realized that about $11 now turned into nearly $800 in fines. I came unglued. Pick a word and I probably used it," says Metheny.
Transurban agreed to research his case and call him back. But the agency never did. Metheny continued to use the 495 Express Lanes in 2013 and early 2014 without a problem. He says he didn't hear anything from Transurban and assumed the agency just took the money out of his E-ZPass account.
But two weeks ago, Metheny opened up his mailbox and found six summons to appear in Fairfax County District Court for the last week in March. Transurban was taking him to court because he went six months in collections without paying.
"My math was that I was going to pay $4,800. But I found out after speaking with a customer service representative that the total fees and penalties at court would be about $6,000. It shocked me beyond belief. That's when I was floored and besides myself. I didn't know what to do. I was scared," says Metheny.
Transurban offered him a settlement of $1,100 to avoid court, but he declined and asked to speak to a supervisor. He also contacted WTOP Ticketbuster.
"I could have just brushed it under the rug. I could have ignored their correspondence. I called, asked them what they needed, called again, gave them documents, told them how to reach me. But I heard nothing, nothing at all," he says.
Transurban spokesman Mike McGurk says Transurban dropped the ball. He denies that Metheny called before April 2013, but agrees that a customer service representative agreed to research his case and promised to call him back.
"We certainly regret the error. We've looked into our notes and it shows the supervisor agreed to follow up via email within 48 hours. Mr. Metheny requested to have someone call him, so we agreed to have someone call him. I'm not sure why the supervisor didn't make the call, but clearly we did not hold up our promise," says McGurk.
Last week, Transurban agreed to rescind the six court summons against Metheny and start over again from the point where the communication breakdown occurred.
"Recognizing that Mr. Metheny was awaiting a call back from our supervisor to close out his case - which is why he would not take action to pay the invoices, thus why the invoices continued to escalate - we will pull him out of the courts. We will also pull him from collections. In acknowledgment of our mistake in failing to follow up with a supervisor phone call to close out the issue with Mr. Metheny, we will pull him back to the fee he was facing on the second invoice," says McGurk.
Transurban called Metheny on Tuesday, apologized, and offered to settle with Metheny for $200. Metheny agreed to the deal and his case is closed.
"It was a very scary thought that I would be in court for something so convenient. All in all it has been an eye-opening experience and I am glad this has been put behind me," says Metheny.
He says he'll continue to use the 495 Express Lanes each day, but will be more careful to make sure his E-ZPass account is replenished and his credit card is updated and active.
"The vast majority of customers are using the 495 Express Lanes the right way with a properly mounted E-ZPass and enough funds in their account. But customers should be aware that those two things are necessary.
"Customers should also be aware that E-ZPass and the 495 Express Lanes are not the same thing. If you ever have a problem, you should call us at Transurban before it goes into collections," says McGurk.
If you think you're the victim of a bogus speed camera, red-light camera or parking ticket in D.C., Maryland or Virginia, WTOP may be able to help you cut the red tape. Email WTOP your case - along with documentation - to ticketbuster@wtop.com.
______________
resident witch
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
LetsRock
()
Date: March 13, 2014 09:52AM
I get it. This is the same as when you file your taxes and ask for an extension. The amount you owe and the interest and penalties continue to accrue until paid in full. This guy should have been more proactive and continued to call for status instead of waiting for a "call back".
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
thisisajokeright
()
Date: March 13, 2014 10:12AM
A lot of people seem to have complaints about EZPass -- IDK I never use it. Is it really that big of a racket? I mean, I remember that one douchebag who just never paid the tolls (remember he racked up 100k+ in fines and fees and then cried about it?), but then some people are legit like "wtf?! I owe 18k?!" How do you not know that??
______________
resident witch
______________
resident witch
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
comuter
()
Date: March 13, 2014 10:43AM
I accidently used the 495 toll lanes and received a letter with a fine of $35.00. I paid it, and three months later I received a phone call saying I owed more than $300.00 for the fine and penalties. I told them I paid the fine, and they said they had no record of it. They then told me if I didn't pay the $300.00, my license would be suspended, my car registration would be voided and they would report the nonpayment to the credit agencies. While on the phone, I was able to pull up my bank account and found a copy of the cancelled check for the payment. I offered to fax it or email it to them and they said it was against their policy, I had to mail it to them with a letter and a case number. They were in Milwaukee. I never heard back saying the case is closed, and dread another phone call from them saying I owe even more money now. The whole system is not well organized, and because the toll revenues are well below what was anticipated, they are doing everything they can to beef up revenues. I will not use the toll lanes on the Beltway now because I know first had how bad the system is, and I don’t need another hassle in my life. I recommend to all stay off those lanes.
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
thisisajokeright
()
Date: March 13, 2014 12:14PM
comuter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I accidently used the 495 toll lanes and received
> a letter with a fine of $35.00. I paid it, and
> three months later I received a phone call saying
> I owed more than $300.00 for the fine and
> penalties. I told them I paid the fine, and they
> said they had no record of it. They then told me
> if I didn't pay the $300.00, my license would be
> suspended, my car registration would be voided and
> they would report the nonpayment to the credit
> agencies. While on the phone, I was able to pull
> up my bank account and found a copy of the
> cancelled check for the payment. I offered to fax
> it or email it to them and they said it was
> against their policy, I had to mail it to them
> with a letter and a case number. They were in
> Milwaukee. I never heard back saying the case is
> closed, and dread another phone call from them
> saying I owe even more money now. The whole
> system is not well organized, and because the toll
> revenues are well below what was anticipated,
> they are doing everything they can to beef up
> revenues. I will not use the toll lanes on the
> Beltway now because I know first had how bad the
> system is, and I don’t need another hassle in my
> life. I recommend to all stay off those lanes.
Okay so the company that runs is it legit fucked up
-------------------------------------------------------
> I accidently used the 495 toll lanes and received
> a letter with a fine of $35.00. I paid it, and
> three months later I received a phone call saying
> I owed more than $300.00 for the fine and
> penalties. I told them I paid the fine, and they
> said they had no record of it. They then told me
> if I didn't pay the $300.00, my license would be
> suspended, my car registration would be voided and
> they would report the nonpayment to the credit
> agencies. While on the phone, I was able to pull
> up my bank account and found a copy of the
> cancelled check for the payment. I offered to fax
> it or email it to them and they said it was
> against their policy, I had to mail it to them
> with a letter and a case number. They were in
> Milwaukee. I never heard back saying the case is
> closed, and dread another phone call from them
> saying I owe even more money now. The whole
> system is not well organized, and because the toll
> revenues are well below what was anticipated,
> they are doing everything they can to beef up
> revenues. I will not use the toll lanes on the
> Beltway now because I know first had how bad the
> system is, and I don’t need another hassle in my
> life. I recommend to all stay off those lanes.
Okay so the company that runs is it legit fucked up
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
Bill.N.
()
Date: March 13, 2014 12:28PM
thisisajokeright Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Okay so the company that runs is it legit fucked
> up
That is the problem. Every system is going to fail sooner or later. When it does there needs to be a mechanism in place to allow the problem to be addressed before draconian punishments are imposed. Also no private entity, even when acting as a partner of the government, should have the authority to impose government type sanctions such as license or registration suspension until the validity of the claim has been established before an independent party such as the court.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Okay so the company that runs is it legit fucked
> up
That is the problem. Every system is going to fail sooner or later. When it does there needs to be a mechanism in place to allow the problem to be addressed before draconian punishments are imposed. Also no private entity, even when acting as a partner of the government, should have the authority to impose government type sanctions such as license or registration suspension until the validity of the claim has been established before an independent party such as the court.
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
HOV ON Mode
()
Date: March 13, 2014 01:18PM
Isn't this old news? Or is this some new guy who also ignored the letters and got slapped with a big bill of fees and penalties?
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
thisisajokeright
()
Date: March 13, 2014 01:23PM
HOV ON Mode Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Isn't this old news? Or is this some new guy who
> also ignored the letters and got slapped with a
> big bill of fees and penalties?
The latter.
______________
resident witch
-------------------------------------------------------
> Isn't this old news? Or is this some new guy who
> also ignored the letters and got slapped with a
> big bill of fees and penalties?
The latter.
______________
resident witch
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
WeFcY
()
Date: March 13, 2014 02:27PM
"When I got the collections letter, I realized that about $11 now turned into nearly $800 in fines. I came unglued. Pick a word and I probably used it," says Metheny.
don't blame the cop. the fx and VA is doing the paperwork and decides "guilt" not the cop, the cop is an uneducated reporter per say. they do what they are told and aren't liable for being right: it is supposed to be later corrected.
******************************************
PUBLIC NOTICE
the clerk's office and collections it is run by auto-theives and crooks in Richmond and DC who hire illegals and city trash and even people from NJ
it was no mistake they are going to try to get the $6000 unless something prevents them
if they can publish stories "that it happens and there's nothign one can do about it but pay" ... watch out they will do it to everyone
I'VE ALREADY FILED A FEW SUCH INCIDENTS AT COURT HOUSE. FX CO SKIP COURT
they will be silent and never fix the problem and beat around the busch. but they will keep sending the bill. they will keep seeking new prosecution while evading their own.
they are auto theives and have newly infiltrated the court system and long ago infiltrated the DMV system
******************************************
don't blame the cop. the fx and VA is doing the paperwork and decides "guilt" not the cop, the cop is an uneducated reporter per say. they do what they are told and aren't liable for being right: it is supposed to be later corrected.
******************************************
PUBLIC NOTICE
the clerk's office and collections it is run by auto-theives and crooks in Richmond and DC who hire illegals and city trash and even people from NJ
it was no mistake they are going to try to get the $6000 unless something prevents them
if they can publish stories "that it happens and there's nothign one can do about it but pay" ... watch out they will do it to everyone
I'VE ALREADY FILED A FEW SUCH INCIDENTS AT COURT HOUSE. FX CO SKIP COURT
they will be silent and never fix the problem and beat around the busch. but they will keep sending the bill. they will keep seeking new prosecution while evading their own.
they are auto theives and have newly infiltrated the court system and long ago infiltrated the DMV system
******************************************
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
ezpus
()
Date: March 13, 2014 05:21PM
EZ Pass can do whatever they want. We are relying on RF and photo technology. It took me a year to settle a dispute I had with EZPAss of NY. The had a picture of my car with my pass. I had just gotten new plates and for some reason since the plates did not match the transponder they fined me. Same story - fines doubled and when I finally got to it it was over a hundred bucks for one toll. It took hours on the phone and sending mail to get the whole mess sorted out so I ended up paying 35 bucks for the toll (because I did not report the change in plates there was a fine).
Honestly I felt I got screwed because I was using my own transponder in my own car and I saw no reason I should be fined but after lots of hours of my time it was cheaper to pay them.
I just got rid of the NY EZPass and purchased a Virginia EZPass with the HOV switch today.
Honestly I felt I got screwed because I was using my own transponder in my own car and I saw no reason I should be fined but after lots of hours of my time it was cheaper to pay them.
I just got rid of the NY EZPass and purchased a Virginia EZPass with the HOV switch today.
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
adriver
()
Date: March 13, 2014 05:22PM
No way in hell I'm using the express lanes anymore after reading that guy's story.
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
bad PR for express lanes
()
Date: March 13, 2014 05:32PM
I'm to scared to use it after hearing about all these people getting fined crazy amounts of money.
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
howww
()
Date: March 13, 2014 05:32PM
How does transurban go from charging this guy 11 dollars to 6000 dollars then back down to 200 dollars?!? That is predatory plain and simple. Do they prey on the elderly with this crap? Of course they do. Im sure a lot of the time it works and they make 6000 dollars from a 35 dollar toll/fine. What a crock.
Is it possible they could have actually won a judgement for 6k from this guy? This is like the mortgage lending industry.
Is it possible they could have actually won a judgement for 6k from this guy? This is like the mortgage lending industry.
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
DickFor
()
Date: March 14, 2014 11:46AM
My company pays for my ezpass, I love driving in my own lane from 267 to Braddock periodically. Generally racks up about $30-$60/mo in total
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
Hilarious
()
Date: March 14, 2014 12:50PM
Because its probably the same moron that kept bragging about how he was smarter than the system, avoiding paying the tolls and how the cops didn't know any better. I hope they don't settle, people like this are the parasites of society, and hes probably an overprivledged douche anyways.
You are not smarter than the rest of society, you are a knuckle dragging republican moron, and now you can realize it.
http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/1175088/1370076.html#msg-1370076
You are not smarter than the rest of society, you are a knuckle dragging republican moron, and now you can realize it.
http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/1175088/1370076.html#msg-1370076
Re: Driver charged with $6,000 in tolls on 495 Express Lanes
Posted by:
HOV ON Mode
()
Date: March 14, 2014 01:28PM
"Because its probably the same moron..."
It's not the same guy. And there are quite a few of us who are and will continue to get away with it. Some of us work with this technology in our own jobs and recognize it. The technology just isn't on those lanes to do anything if you are in HOV ON mode with less than 3 in the car--unless a cop stops you and sees the transponder setting before you can flip it yourself and rely on fate. At best, there's now a bright light on the gantry (that wasn't there when the lanes opened) that goes off pointing toward your backside on your lane after you pass under the gantry if you're running HOV ON. That's the signal to a waiting cop further down, if he's there to see it, and he would have to stop you to verify occupancy.
Those people ignoring mailed bills either did not have a transponder when they used the lanes or it wasn't read by the gantries during their trip. Nothing to do with how many people were or were not in their cars.
It's not the same guy. And there are quite a few of us who are and will continue to get away with it. Some of us work with this technology in our own jobs and recognize it. The technology just isn't on those lanes to do anything if you are in HOV ON mode with less than 3 in the car--unless a cop stops you and sees the transponder setting before you can flip it yourself and rely on fate. At best, there's now a bright light on the gantry (that wasn't there when the lanes opened) that goes off pointing toward your backside on your lane after you pass under the gantry if you're running HOV ON. That's the signal to a waiting cop further down, if he's there to see it, and he would have to stop you to verify occupancy.
Those people ignoring mailed bills either did not have a transponder when they used the lanes or it wasn't read by the gantries during their trip. Nothing to do with how many people were or were not in their cars.