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Crotty Says Expressway Authority Doesn't Agree With Judge's Ruling
POSTED: 4:26 pm EDT April 23,
2008
UPDATED: 6:15 pm EDT April 23,
2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Channel 9 first exposed toll troubles in Central Florida, thousands of tickets linked to bad transponders. Now those tickets may be thrown out. The Expressway Authority says it's the Turnpike's problem.
ORANGE COUNTY: Judge Says Violations Overwhelming Court
VIDEO: Seminole County Resident's Impacted By Fines Respond To Ruling
READ: Circuit Court Ruling Related To E-Pass, SunPass (PDF)
ARCHIVE: Read Previous Reports Related To Expressway Authority
The judge's ruling Tuesday applies to Seminole and Brevard counties. Their toll booths are operated by SunPass, not E-Pass, but E-Pass customers have had problems with transponders picking up on SunPass lanes, so the Expressway Authority wants to make sure they are not issued citations9 Investigates first discovered transponder troubles that were causing customers with E-Pass and SunPass accounts big fines and suspended driver's licenses. Tuesday, a judge ruled the toll agencies can't issue tickets to customers whose accounts are in good standing, but the judge only serves Brevard and Seminole county"The clear message from the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority is this didn't involve us," said Mayor Rich Crotty, Expressway Authority Chairman.E-Pass only operates tolls in Orange County, but its customers are getting citations for running SunPass tolls in Seminole County even though the transponders are supposed to work for both agencies."We don't necessarily agree that the judge made the right ruling," Crotty said.The Expressway Authority's attorney went even further."I think the legal ruling is fallacious and it won't stand up if it goes up on appeal," Expressway Authority attorney Jo Passiatore said.But the board did talk about making big changes to protect its customers in the future."We have a responsibility to make sure, if they have a valid account and money in the account, they never see a citation," Expressway Executive Director Mike Snyder said.The Expressway Authority is tossing around ideas to protect its customers, including coming up with a way to review all E-Pass cases before the driver gets a citation.
The judge's ruling Tuesday applies to Seminole and Brevard counties. Their toll booths are operated by SunPass, not E-Pass, but E-Pass customers have had problems with transponders picking up on SunPass lanes, so the Expressway Authority wants to make sure they are not issued citations9 Investigates first discovered transponder troubles that were causing customers with E-Pass and SunPass accounts big fines and suspended driver's licenses. Tuesday, a judge ruled the toll agencies can't issue tickets to customers whose accounts are in good standing, but the judge only serves Brevard and Seminole county"The clear message from the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority is this didn't involve us," said Mayor Rich Crotty, Expressway Authority Chairman.E-Pass only operates tolls in Orange County, but its customers are getting citations for running SunPass tolls in Seminole County even though the transponders are supposed to work for both agencies."We don't necessarily agree that the judge made the right ruling," Crotty said.The Expressway Authority's attorney went even further."I think the legal ruling is fallacious and it won't stand up if it goes up on appeal," Expressway Authority attorney Jo Passiatore said.But the board did talk about making big changes to protect its customers in the future."We have a responsibility to make sure, if they have a valid account and money in the account, they never see a citation," Expressway Executive Director Mike Snyder said.The Expressway Authority is tossing around ideas to protect its customers, including coming up with a way to review all E-Pass cases before the driver gets a citation.
Previous Stories:
- April 22, 2008: Toll Violations In Two Counties Kicked Back To E-Pass, SunPass
- March 24, 2008: Woman Says E-Pass Transponder Landed Her In Jail
- March 4, 2008: Man Fights, Wins License Back After SunPass Mix-Up
- November 21, 2007: Critical Report On Expressway Authority Remains Sealed
- November 16, 2007: E-Pass Transponders Being Given Away At New Toll Plaza
- October 23, 2007: Comptroller Says Expressway Authority Record-Keeping Worst She's Seen
- October 23, 2007: Expressway Authority Mistake Means Drivers Pay More
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