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Originally Posted by CO 1E
(Post 10860946)
How many bl**dy toll authorities are there in Texas?
Until just a few years ago, the state couldn't build tollways. For many years tollways were a rarity in Texas, and only existed in Houston and Dallas, and then in very limited numbers. Because the state couldn't be involved in a tolled highway, that's how regional authorities in Dallas first, and years later in Houston, were established (the first tolled road in Houston, the Beltway 8 toll bridge over the ship channel, was actually built by the Dallas regional authority and later sold to the Harris County authority). In the 1990s, the Harris County Tollroad Authority built a lot of miles, and the North Texas Turnpike Authority began expansions in the Dallas area. Then came the Fort Bend Tollroad Authority, which maintains some roads that connect to Harris County-maintained roads in suburban Houston. Finally the state got involved in the last few years as the laws preventing the state from collecting tolls were changed. Unfortunately now because of limited funds, and ridiculously expensive projects like Perry's Trans-Texas Corridor, tolls are becoming commonplace on new and improved TxDOT maintained highways. They've gone as far as to try to place tolls on existing highways that have always been free. Fortunately most attempts to do that have failed, but there have been a few cases where they haven't. |
Originally Posted by ssullivan
(Post 10860797)
Some are, but not all. Only Avis, Budget, and Hertz are offering this option.
Speaking of rental cars and tollway tags, there's a HUGE racket going on in Dallas. The North Texas Turnpike Authority is in the process of moving to an all electronic system, much like the Westpark Tollway is in Houston. This will involve removing the existing cash collection lanes on the Dallas North, Bush, and Addison Airport Tunnel tollways in 2010. This system is already in place on State Highway 121. Unlike HCTRA in Houston, driving on the electronic collection only tollways in Dallas without a tag doesn't incur a violation with a hefty fine; they just mail you a bill for the toll with a processing fee. It's not a true violation like it is in Houston, and the processing fee is pretty small; it's like a difference of $0.75 between the tag rate and the cash by mail rate. However, if you drive a rental car from DAL or DFW on those tollways and hit an tag-only toll collection, the rental car company will send you a notice months later that they have provided your name and address to the NTTA to collect the toll, and have charged your credit card a "convenience fee" for doing this. That fee is often at least $10-15, but varies by rental car agency. We ran into this with National at DFW in June. In September three bills arrived in our mailbox from National for $15 each, due to three non-cash tollbooths we hit on 121 in June. The total tolls were less than $2, and National charged us $45 for it. No verbal warnings were issued when we rented the car, and there are no signs at the exit gate on the rental lot warning you of this either. I was told "there's signs at the rental counter" but that does no good when you're an Emerald Club member and don't ever go to the counter. :rolleyes: Anyway, if you rent a car in Dallas, consider yourself warned. This is a major cash grab going on by the rental car agencies up there. I wouldn't be surprised if there's not a class action lawsuit at some point regarding this issue. |
Originally Posted by CO 1E
(Post 10860969)
Is there some reason to spend $2.50 for the toll road if you are headed to the airport on I-45 and whatever else during off-peak hours? I never have gotten caught in slow traffic traveling downtown from IAH during off-peak hours using the non-tollway option.
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This may sound like a strange thing to be happy about. My top most viewed photo on Flickr is no longer a train. :D What the interest in that particular Acura TSX is beyond me. #2 is the inside of a Q400 and at #8 is a photo from last year's DO
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Originally Posted by CO 1E
(Post 10860969)
Is there some reason to spend $2.50 for the toll road if you are headed to the airport on I-45 and whatever else during off-peak hours? I never have gotten caught in slow traffic traveling downtown from IAH during off-peak hours using the non-tollway option.
I hate the North Freeway and always did anything I could to avoid it. |
Originally Posted by Anglo Large Clawed Otter
(Post 10860989)
Not really. If you are off-peak, it's fine. I would also suggest using US-59 to get to the airport from Downtown, rather than I-45. It has more lanes, less traffic, and produces less accidents that cause gridlock.
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Originally Posted by Anglo Large Clawed Otter
(Post 10860989)
Not really. If you are off-peak, it's fine. I would also suggest using US-59 to get to the airport from Downtown, rather than I-45. It has more lanes, less traffic, and produces less accidents that cause gridlock.
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Originally Posted by CO 1E
(Post 10861007)
I may have taken US 59 at some point, as well. 45 provides some lovely scenery as you traverse typical Houston unzoned sprawl that leads right up to the edge of the highway.
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Originally Posted by Anglo Large Clawed Otter
(Post 10860736)
Rental-Car Agencies in Houston now offer EZ-Tag as an Option (like GPS). ^
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Originally Posted by Anglo Large Clawed Otter
(Post 10861038)
...Mundo...
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: |
Originally Posted by BlissWorld
(Post 10861049)
Blissmundo
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Anglo Large Claw Other :rolleyes: |
Originally Posted by Hartmann
(Post 10860799)
I think my paintball attire is fantastic...
It's a course place, so no need for camo but I'm wearing BDUs and a bright orange cap. Shoot me, I'm Elmer Fudd!
Originally Posted by Olton Hall
(Post 10860821)
Are you nuts. With the 40 degree temps, those balls are going to be extra hard.
Originally Posted by belynch
(Post 10860827)
So. Many. Puns.
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Originally Posted by Anglo Large Clawed Otter
(Post 10861038)
The drive up 59 is fun, too. You get a good look at the architectural monstrosity that is La Luz Del Mundo Church.
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Originally Posted by Anglo Large Clawed Otter
(Post 10861038)
architectural monstrosity that is La Luz Del Mundo Church.
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I'm probably one of a few people who live in Houston who has an EZ pass. I have it through Delaware. No monthly fees just to have the transponder. It's great not to have to rent one when I head up north.
I would like an EZ Tag, but I don't like that I cannot transfer from car to car, like I can w/ EZ pass. Is the NTTA transponder like EZ pass? |
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