How does the toll road work? Camera's/tickets in the mail? (Tampa: rental car, rental)

[ColS]

I was in Tampa last week and went to interview a school I may end up attending. We were coming fro Land O' Lakes and it had us take 41 to Dale Mabry and we ended up on the toll road and got off somewhere in the Carrollwood area. However, there were no toll booths where we got on or where we got off. My friend said they will send us a bill in the mail. HUH??? Is this for real? It was a very short drive on the Suncoast Pkwy. I assume the whole thing is a toll road?

How does this toll system work? So, anytime I enter the toll road I should expect a bill? How many miles apart do they have cameras to take photos and mail you a bill? Or am I just all wrong and totally confused about this whole thing?

Can someone explain? Also, is there a discount for people that will use the road frequently?

[HWTechGuy]

Yes, the Veterans Expressway is a toll road. The northern part (when it's actually the Suncoast) still has toll booths.

It's either Sunpass or toll-by-plate. The Selmon is the same way.

Get yourself a Sunpass.

https://www.sunpass.com/index

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[MortonR]

If you pay by plate it is the most expensive. If you get a SunPass, or transponder, which can be purchased at any CVS or Walgreen's for $5.00, you'll get discounted tolls. As a part of setting up the transponder you will establish an account and set up a payment means, typically through a bank account. When your balance dips to a certain point the account will be replenished automatically an amount you choose.

Were you driving a rental car or your personal vehicle when this occurred? I ask because if you were driving a rental the rental company will be charged and will send you a bill with some heavy fees on top.

RM

[Tim Tim Tim]

Both above are correct.. To answer the question on how often are their cameras.. You will see them as you go under. If you are traveling from the airport (far south end of the veterans) up to Lutz Lake Fern (farthest north point of the veterans before it turns into the "suncoast parkway" you will pass a toll Just north of waters and another just north of Erlich rd.

[ColS]

[ColS]

So the above photo is the route we took. Notice is says "portions toll". There were no toll booths that we went through. What does that mean?

[marc3565]

Originally Posted by ColS

So the above photo is the route we took. Notice is says "portions toll". There were no toll booths that we went through. What does that mean?

You did not go through traditional toll booths. You did drive under some points that look a bit like the framework for overhead signs with devices hanging above each lane. Those devices scan for a SUNPASS and if none is found the device will take a picture of the license plate and mail you a bill.

[ColS]

Originally Posted by marc3565

You did not go through traditional toll booths. You did drive under some points that look a bit like the framework for overhead signs with devices hanging above each lane. Those devices scan for a SUNPASS and if none is found the device will take a picture of the license plate and mail you a bill.

How much is the bill? We had our own car, not a rental.

Now, on the way back it took us up Suncoast and we went through an actual booth. Does that mean we will get a bill in addition to the toll we already paid at the booth?

[EngGuy]

No, only get a bill for the places without a booth. I think you get a bill at the end of the month, with all the tolls assigned to that plate plus a fee for the mailing. In the sunpass website, you can see all the prices, and even do it by the routes you took.


The sunpass sticker is only 4.99, and the prices per toll are cheaper than the toll-by-plate prices.


https://www.tollbyplate.com/faq


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