A glitch in the Interstate 405 toll lanes incorrectly charged all toll-lane drivers between Dec. 17 and Dec. 25 according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
All drivers who took the toll lanes on both north and southbound lanes were either under or overcharged, said Washington State Department of Transportation representative Ethan Bergerson. It was discovered by the department this Monday.
“Once the problem was identified, Schneider Electric immediately fixed the problem,” he said.
Schneider Electric is the tolling company responsible for operating the lanes and equipment. In a statement, the company said all drivers who were charged during the system glitch will be charged the base rate of $.75 per trip. The company will cover the cost of any lost revenue to the Department of Transportation.
On average, drivers were charged between $.56 more, or almost $2 less than they should have been, the department said.
Drivers with a Good-To-Go pass will not have to take any action as the charges will either be deducted or credited to their accounts, Bergerson said.
Around 200 Pay By Mail customer bills were mailed on Dec. 28, these customers should contact the Department of Transportation, said Bergerson.
The I-405 toll lanes have been unpopular with commuters since their inception in late September, who often cite concerns of longer commute times, increased congestion and more traffic on surface streets.
One group, known as stop405tolls.org has collected more than 27,000 signatures to eliminate the toll lanes which run roughly from Lynnwood to Bellevue on the interstate.
Area lawmakers have also taken notice, with Mill Creek State Representative Mark Harmsworth proposing legislation to alter the toll lanes.