Help from Houston locals and/or Galveston cruise regulars re: tolls?

[cmph]

We just got a toll violation notice from dates in January. We rented a car from Hobby, drove to the San Luis (stopping at a Panera along the highway), and the car didn't move until we drove it from the San Luis back to the airport 8 days later. Suspiciously, the dates we had toll violations were all when we were ON the cruise. Cruise was 12/30/16-1/06/17 - toll violations are all 1/2 and 1/4.

We're scratching our heads now b/c we don't even remember tolls along that driving route at all!! We drove 45S to whatever Galveston town roads led to the San Luis. Four adults plus my kids in a mini-van, and none of us remembers seeing a toll booth. Did we all fail to notice any booths? I google-mapped it, and it's not alerting me that "this route has tolls" either.

In any case, I'm obviously protesting b/c these date/time-stamped violations were when we were having brunch in Palo... or at mixology... etc.

 

[cruiser21]

I've cruised out of Galveston a few times. We've rented cars at Bush and stayed at the Hilton everytime. I've never had a toll road charge. I know there are toll roads in Houston, but I think I managed to stay off them. We drove 45 South also. I've done this drive three times and I never saw a toll booth. I think in your case it would be easy to prove by sending them a copy of your cruise reservation that shows you were on the cruise. Really weird. Our last time cruising in Galveston was Dec 2016 so only a month before you.

 

[Cousin Orville]

The only Toll Road around Hobby is Beltway 8. Out of Hobby, I would think you would have driven East to get on 45S and down to galveston and would have avoided Beltway 8. No other Toll Roads that I’m aware of. Maybe the rental car’s toll tag has the wrong license plate associated with it. ie someone else’s toll tag was associated with your car’s license plate? In any case, what a beurocratic pain in the rear. GL!

 

[cmph]

I've cruised out of Galveston a few times. We've rented cars at Bush and stayed at the Hilton everytime. I've never had a toll road charge. I know there are toll roads in Houston, but I think I managed to stay off them. We drove 45 South also. I've done this drive three times and I never saw a toll booth. I think in your case it would be easy to prove by sending them a copy of your cruise reservation that shows you were on the cruise. Really weird. Our last time cruising in Galveston was Dec 2016 so only a month before you.

I still have my detailed receipt with charges ON the cruise, so I can't see how they'll be able to argue this is valid with the date and time stamps. I'm glad we're not crazy and didn't completely miss tolls!

The only Toll Road around Hobby is Beltway 8. Out of Hobby, I would think you would have driven East to get on 45S and down to galveston and would have avoided Beltway 8. No other Toll Roads that I’m aware of. Maybe the rental car’s toll tag has the wrong license plate associated with it. ie someone else’s toll tag was associated with your car’s license plate? In any case, what a beurocratic pain in the rear. GL!

yes, I remember basically getting right onto 45 easily. Whatever google maps says to do, we did! Such a pain!

I called the San Luis and they're willing to pull security logs if necessary to show the car was there, but I hope it doesn't get that ridiculous.

 

[dcassetta]

No toll roads On 45 or Galveston. Was your car valet parked? I'm asking because I wonder if you had the keys the whole time.

 

[cmph]

No toll roads On 45 or Galveston. Was your car valet parked? I'm asking because I wonder if you had the keys the whole time.

We self-parked with the stay/park/shuttle package. Definitely had the keys with us onboard.

DH called the toll authority a bit ago and is extremely ticked off. No resolution to this as they can't find it in their system and actually admitted this has happened at times before. The list of charges are date/time stamped but don't say where they occurred or offer any other info.

 

[princessmommyx3]

I am from Texas and unfortunately this happens all the time. People are constantly getting incorrect toll bills in the mail, it is a huge problem from what I understand. It's always in the local news. Just keep protesting and hopefully you will get it resolved. Good luck.

 

[cmph]

I am from Texas and unfortunately this happens all the time. People are constantly getting incorrect toll bills in the mail, it is a huge problem from what I understand. It's always in the local news. Just keep protesting and hopefully you will get it resolved. Good luck.

Dang, well I guess at least it's not just us! it's very easy for us to prove we didn't do it, at least. DH is really quite unhappy with them, as they full-on hung up on him when he was asking "if this has happened before, how did you resolve it previous times?" He's still waiting on a return call from the supervisor. The tolls themselves are obviously irritating enough, but the $75 service fee on top of it? Crazy pants. No way we're paying that nonsense.