WASHINGTON – Transurban, the company that operates express lanes in Northern Virginia, has settled a class-action lawsuit with drivers who were charged massive fines after missing toll payments.
Under the terms of the settlement, Transurban will give drivers 10 days, instead of the current five days, to pay missed tolls before penalties are tacked on.
Some customers who shelled out hundreds or thousands of dollars will be eligible for refunds, and Transurban will roll out new initiatives to get customers signed up for missed toll email alerts.
“We’re quite proud of the fact that we were able to convince Transurban to change,” said Kevin Stanfield, one of the plaintiffs and a producer with WTOP sister station Federal News Radio.
Stanfield owed just $29 in missed tolls due to a credit card mix-up, but Transurban ended up charging him more than $2,000 in penalties and fees.
“They were making it seem like we were purposely trying to circumvent the process and travel without paying, which wasn’t the case,” he said.
The settlement still must be reviewed and approved by a judge.
Transurban spokesman Mike McGurk issued a statement to WTOP Tuesday afternoon:
“We are confident that our policy is in accordance with Virginia law and that we would have ultimately prevailed in court. However, settlement prevents further expensive legal costs and allows us to return our focus on providing a great experience for customers on the Express Lanes. The enhancements to the enforcement process will help our customers avoid escalated fees and penalties while maintaining a strong deterrent for egregious violators.”
Transurban built and operates the 495 Express Lanes and the 95 Express Lanes. Drivers who use the toll lanes must have an E-ZPass or an E-ZPass Flex.
WTOP detailed the stories of multiple drivers who faced fines totaling as much as $10,000 stemming from toll violations.
