amnesty

TxDOT's three month-long 90%-amnesty program on outstanding toll penalty fees garnered about 1.25% of scofflaw debt - $767k out of $61.6m. The recovery of unpaid tolls was much higher - $265k out of $3.2m or 8.3%. Recovery of violation fees was $501k out of $58.4m or about 0.9%.

10,580 people who took advantage of the 90% forgiveness program represented just over 7% of about 150,000 people with serious toll and penalty debts.

Texas DOT will run their violations amnesty Aug 31 thru Nov 30 under which 90% of accumulated violation penalties will be forgiven in return for paying tolls in full and 10% of penalties. Amnesty seekers will also be required to open a TxTag transponder account and to keep it in good standing for 12 months.

After the amnesty period TxDOT say they will begin court filings to collect outstanding tolls.

Top Texas officials have approved in principle a write-off of up to 90% of non-payment penalties on unpaid tolls that have accumulated on start-up pikes in Central Texas (Austin) and a small tollroad in the far northeast (Tyler). To take advantage of the amnesty motorists will have to:

- pay actual tolls due

- pay about 10% of accumulated violation fees, the exact percentage not yet decided