Ok this is fishy, has this happened to anyone else???

[gymstx]

How many tolls are there at the airport, because that's where we supposedly didn't pay.

 

[safetymom]

No receipt at exact change. The toll authority here in Central FL is cutting back on the manned booths. On the weekend many of the manned booths are closed, only the exact change lanes are open.

 

[francie57]

Around here there is usually one booth marked for receipts. They should always have one manned booth since some people are traveling for business and need the receipts. It may take a few minutes more having to wait in line for the receipt instead of going through the exact change but it is worth it to avoid having any trouble.

 

[safetymom]

There isn't always a manned booth. If you need a receipt many people purchase the Sunpass.

Here is information if you miss a toll.

http://www.sunpass.com/missedtoll.cfm

 

[DonnaL]

A few years ago when we exited 417 at the unmanned exit on Osceola Pkwy the machine was malfuntioning and didn't accept our coins.......we had no choice but to go thru anyway since it's an unmanned exit. Sure enough, about a month later we got a letter from National telling us about the citation ........I believe it was for the toll charge plus a fine plus National's administrative fee......for some reason I'm thinking the total was $45......only since we're EA members they already had our cc info and had already charged our card. I called the Citation Dept. They told me I needed to take it up with Florida's toll system.....which I did. After several phone calls on my part, they determined that the machine was indeed malfunctioning that day, notified National of such and our cc was credited. I will say it was a hassle and I don't know if I would have done it for $11.............

 

[winterman]

As far as we know, we did not miss any tolls. I mean how can you drive through without paying.

As I recall, on the road from MCO to WDW you have to pull off the road just as you would at an exit. Don't know if you were on this road but I'm sure there are others with a similar set-up. You pay the toll and then get back on the road. It would be very easy to keep driving on the main road but it is surprising that all three drivers and their passengers would miss the signs.

 

[seashoreCM]

A few years ago when we exited 417 at the unmanned exit on Osceola Pkwy the machine was malfuntioning and didn't accept our coins.......we had no choice but to go thru anyway since it's an unmanned exit. Sure enough, about a month later we got a letter from National telling us about the citation ........I believe it was for the toll charge plus a fine plus National's administrative fee......for some reason I'm thinking the total was $45......only since we're EA members they already had our cc info and had already charged our card. I called the Citation Dept. They told me I needed to take it up with Florida's toll system.....which I did. After several phone calls on my part, they determined that the machine was indeed malfunctioning that day, notified National of such and our cc was credited. I will say it was a hassle and I don't know if I would have done it for $11.............

The state needs to become more tourist friendly. Including excusing you when you snail mailed them with an explanation unless they have convincing evidence you were a scofflaw. (Or does Florida think it is overrun with tourists?)

Use the north airport exit (436; Semoran) and go left at the first light you can (Frontage). Little over a mile is next light (Conway), take a left and immediately another left to get on 528 (Beach Line) west. Only one place to watch carefully for the cash toll lanes off to the right, coming up soon, the toll is a buck (or is it still 75 cents?). Get your receipt. Then you get to I-4 and go west (southwest). Disney exits will appear soon.

Returning via I-4 to I-4 East to 528 East, again watch for the cash toll lanes. Get off 528 at its exit 9 (Tradeport), left and cross under. (Top off gas tank right here.) Get into middle lane, required right onto McCoy, next light is Semoran. Turn right to enter airport.

 

[puffkin]

I just want to add that it is very easy to miss tolls in Florida! We haven't yet, but since you have to almost get off an exit to pay a toll if you don't have Sunpass I can see how many people do miss it!

The tolls in Florida are nothing like the ones in PA. It would be next to impossible to accidentally miss a toll in here

 

[dburg30]

As I recall, on the road from MCO to WDW you have to pull off the road just as you would at an exit. Don't know if you were on this road but I'm sure there are others with a similar set-up. You pay the toll and then get back on the road. It would be very easy to keep driving on the main road but it is surprising that all three drivers and their passengers would miss the signs.

To me, if you were travelling with a group and you were trying to stick together, in an unknown area, I dont think it would be hard at all to miss a toll area, especially if it's 'different' from other toll booths you've ever used (think like the W VA turnpike where there's no way you can miss them). Unless they wanted to fight just because they didnt screw up, sadly, I think I would have just paid the $11 also, and as stated, next time made sure I got a receipt.

 

[gymstx]

We paid the $11.00, just wish we knew what toll we missed because when we go back next July, we don't want this to happen again. We were all following each other so yes we could have all missed a toll.

 

[tkldisney]

We missed a toll once in IL and it must happen a lot because they had sign posted with a number to call or e-mail address to pay if you missed your toll. We actually missed 4, but the road system was so "screwy" and we aren't from around there. I went online as soon as we got home and paid them. No fine, nothing. Thats what all states should do when it's someone from out of area. But, then that's a way for them to make money with the fines.

 

[seashoreCM]

Whoever asked you to pay the $11. should have told you upon your request where and when the toll violation happened before you paid.

Doesn't matter whether "whoever" was in Oklahoma or New Hampshire or Florida or Ontario, etc.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Whoever asked you to pay the $11. should have told you upon your request where and when the toll violation happened before you paid.

Doesn't matter whether "whoever" was in Oklahoma or New Hampshire or Florida or Ontario, etc.

It appears from the OP's transcription of the letter she received from the original post that the citation in question was attached or detailed.

 

[gymstx]

THe citation was not attached, but on the bottom of the letter, it said violation, time, date and airport.

 

[Detailor]

We paid the $11.00, just wish we knew what toll we missed because when we go back next July, we don't want this to happen again. We were all following each other so yes we could have all missed a toll.

I think that the only toll that's a dollar between the airport and Orlando is at the Airport Plaza on SR528, the Beachline. Can someone who uses 528 regularly verify that? That would seem to match up with the information on the bottom of the letter that you got indicating airport as the location - I'm sure that it means the airport plaza toll booths rather than some generic reference to the airport itself.

I'm not sure how that plaza is set up but I can understand how you might be initially confused with a convoy of vehicles and just starting out on your vacation from getting rental vehicles. But that's where I'd suggest that you be careful when you go back in July. Or consider taking the south exit from the airport to the Central Florida Greeneway - SR 417 - where the tolls are $1.25 at each booth but there's a lot less traffic and it's much less confusing.

Dick Taylor

 

[seashoreCM]

The "airport" toll plaza on 528 (fka Bee Line) is almost on top of you as you enter 528 from the north airport exit to head west. Last time I saw it (from the side, from Frontage Road paralleling) they had not yet converted it to side ramp cash lanes and center main line electronic lanes.

When you entered 528 you would have to almost instantly go off to the side ramp, crossing or merging with another on ramp (discontinued?) from Semoran (436) southbound (from Hertz, Thrifty) if the conversion had been completed.

I think it looks like this:

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We missed a toll once in IL and it must happen a lot because they had sign posted with a number to call or e-mail address to pay if you missed your toll. We actually missed 4, but the road system was so "screwy" and we aren't from around there. I went online as soon as we got home and paid them. No fine, nothing. Thats what all states should do when it's someone from out of area. But, then that's a way for them to make money with the fines.

It wasn't the state of FL that charged the extra $10, it was the rental car company. I can see why if they are the registered owners of the car and this sounds like it happens often. It probably requires at least a FT employee to resolve all of these violations and why should they eat the cost?

We used to take the south exit from MCO but the tolls down there are unmanned and it was a PITA to remember coins for tolls. Now we just take the BeeLine and even though it's like 3 tolls between MCO and I-4, I never have to worry about getting change. I like how they've separated the cash lanes from sun pass lanes with the little 'exit'.
I really don't see how you can miss it with all the signs. Now the south exit, I can see it happening easily. Very small and no gate.

 

[DOOM1001]

I don't understand how the State of Florida is doing it,don't they know there's tourists everywhere you go.There are some exits and roads built and getting built where if you don't have Sunpass you basically can't use it.And I'm even hearing many major roads and exits possibly in 5 years or so will have the toll booths with attendants totally removed,so you either get sunpass or you go through and then get the bill sent to you,hopefully not with a fine.It's been several years since Sunpass started being used all over and even that many years later if you go through one of the most used tolls down here in Miami,probably 60 percent of the cars are using the Sunpass only lanes where they drive through at 60 mph and the transponder charges it as you go through,that still leaves thousands of cars, many tourists using the change booths with an attendant.They'll never get 90-95% of the people to use Sunpass and are they going to be mailing bills to thousands of people,seems easier to keep the attendants.

 

[Goofygirl17]

It would be much easier too if Sunpass was connected to the fastlane/ezpass that is used in most of the other Eastern states. You can use those down the coast but not in Florida.

 

[sallycinnamon99]

Hi,

We have also just received a letter asking us to pay $11.00. Our apparent 'violation' happened 7 minutes before they signed our car off at the airport. As far as I can remember we were waiting to have it checked at that time. As far as I know we paid the tolls on the way to the airport, as we did every time we travelled anywhere (we were very concious about this and always looked carefully at signs etc).

We did not get the original letter the same as the OP but got what looks like a follow up to say we have not paid this. It says Alamo at the top but it looks like a printed or photocopied page, no colour at all. Usually when you get letters like this the logo etc would be colour. There are no email contact details and the Violation Code Descriptor is given as VIOLATOR. It does not tell us why we have been fined or anything else. The Issuing agency is listed as HTA - does anyone know what this is?

I am a bit worried that this may be a con, as it asks to send money to Bank of America (no reference or account details included) or fill in credit card details and send them back. I don't really want to do this as I am unsure if it is legitimate.

Any help or ideas would be appreicated.
Thanks.