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E-Pass Drivers Overcharged On Toll Roads
Report Exposes Flaw In Computer System
Wendy Saltzman, WKMG-Local 6 News

POSTED: 10:26 pm EST November 8, 2004
UPDATED: 11:37 pm EST November 8, 2004

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Local 6 News exclusive investigation has learned the Expressway Authority has kept a major E-Pass error under wraps, at your expense.






During a two month investigation, Problem Solver Wendy Saltzman found drivers charged double, even triple what they owe.

Saltzman reviewed nearly a hundred E-Pass statements which exposed a serious flaw in the computer system. In some cases customers were charged for additional axels on their cars, hiking their tolls to double, or triple the actual toll charge.




Toll road user Miguel Lombana was shocked. "It's a rip off," Lombana said.

Motorist Kathi Wertz was also amazed at what Local 6 uncovered.

"It's absurd," Wertz responded as we showed her our findings.




Local 6 News took the results of the investigation to State Rep. Randy Johnson after reviewing his e-pass statements which showed 23 overcharges in a matter of just six months. "It's exactly 100 percent more than it's supposed to be," he responded.


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Here's how you can determine if you have an overcharge on your statement: You can get your statements online at expresswayauthority.com. Then, compare your charges to the actual toll charges.
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"This is incredible, and I would say very disappointing," Johnson said.

The investigation also found an undeniable mistake on the bill of Expressway Authority Executive Director Mike Snyder. Saltzman pointed out, "In this case you are not only being double charged, you are being triple charged."

Snyder admitted, "That's correct."

At toll after toll, the investigation found incorrect charges. A $25 toll in one case was billed for $4, according to the report.

Saltzman reported that the findings may show a costly defect in what has been passed off as a fool-proof system.





Toll road user Aris Poulos was not surprised by the investigation's findings.

"You think it's a computer, but they cheat you," Poulos said.

Poulos gave up his E-Pass because he says he was a victim of highway robbery.

"Even if it's 50 cents and 50 cents and 50 cents, it might not be a lot individually, but when you add it up, it's cheating," Poulos said.

Snyder admitted the Expressway Authority knew about what he calls a computer "glitch." "It is the responsibility of the agency to, when you have a problem, immediately admit you have a problem and fix it," Snyder said. "To deny it would be fool-hearted."




However, Snyder's agency never made that problem public to more than 400,000 people who own an E-Pass.

Johnson said the problem needs to be corrected immediately.

"Every penny that is not theirs needs to be refunded," Johnson said.

And even though the Expressway Authority has completed a survey that says their system is 99 percent accurate Orange County Chairman and Expressway Authority Board Member, Richard Crotty is calling for an independent audit.

"What happened here could really damage the reputation of a very good agency," Crotty said.

Johnson also said being 99 percent accurate is not good enough.

One percent of the Expressway Authority's revenue could still be roughly a $1.75 million mistake. A mistake drivers would never know about unless they check their bill.

"It isn't fair and people have the right to know that," Crotty said. "I've already placed a request that we get to the bottom of this."


Here's how you can determine if you have an overcharge on your statement: You can get your statements online at expresswayauthority.com. Then, compare your charges to the actual toll charges.


If you have any incorrect charges, you may contact Wendy Saltzman at wsaltzman@local6.com or the Expressway Authority at E-PASS@oocea.com or by phone at (407)823-7277.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

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