Complaint Review: Harris County Toll Road Authority

I have attempted to email the HCTRA directly, due to the fact that I have had to hold for more than an hour each time I call to attempt to speak with anyone.  This is the email I sent:

I called in about violations on my BMW  because the wrong vehicle was deactivated on my account and we have now accrued over 1000.00 in fees. (In less than 20 days)  We have had toll tags on our vehicles and been in good standing for years.  Your manager stated that this would take 2-3 business days to review and someone would get back to me, but in the meantime, I would be unable to drive on the toll road.  I feel that some attempt should be made on your part to remove some "administrative" fees as you call them.  We were not called or notified that our vehicle was incurring these fees until nearly a month after the fact when we began receiving letters in the mail with the various fees accrued. 

How are we supposed to know that the vehicle is not active and working when the tag is still pasted on our front windshield and no one has called.  We are still having funds withdrawn from our account almost daily for regular toll use.  Now that we have been made aware of the fact that there was an issue, you are unwilling to waive any of these "administrative fees" and we are unable to drive on the toll road.  We live just off the beltway.  This compromises our ability to drive to work, to take kids to and from school and generally get around the city we live in.  Because I have asked for the issue to he escalated, I have to wait an additional 2-3 business days for a response and to resolve the issue.  We pay an average of 300-400 a month in toll fees just from regular use. 

Your unwillingness to assist your clients simply because you know that you have the power of the city on your side to threaten your clients is despicable.  I feel now I am forced to retain an attorney and see this issue through the legal system to receive justice for my mistreatment.  If you were any other business and found that an error had occurred whether it be the client or your fault, you would work to retain your clients rather than dismiss them without concern for them whatsoever.

 I have read several articles of the corruptness of the Sam Houston Toll Road Authority  and the fact that it was never intended to remain a toll road once it was paid in full which it was several years ago, but the level of deceit is far worse than just a system forcing people to pay for a service that has more than paid for itself, but also by charging these outrageous "administrative" fees of 30.00 per "toll violation".  I logged in to the HTCRA account today and can clearly see all of the vehicle's information still listed and cannot imagine that it could possibly cost you over 1000.00 to click a button and turn my account back on. Please have someone contact me immediately with a resolution other than "We can see if you qualify for a payment plan".  Holding a road in this city hostage until you have collected your 1000.00 in fee is unconstitutional.

- This message was reviewed by the HCTRA website servers and rejected.  The reason for its rejection was not given, but now I am unable to communicate with them in any way other than to call in and wait for over an hour or wait an additional 2-3 business days for a supervisor to get back to me.  I have read other people's complaits who have been at least offered some sort of discount towards the totals, but in this case the company is unwilling to even remove SOME of the fees.  I am frustrated to say the least.  What business has the right to pursue legal actions which could include loss of driving privileges and jail time for unpaid fees that we are unncessary and unwarranted!