TxTag on EZTag Only! (Houston, Dallas: subdivision, live, cost)

[georgekds]

In Houston, I see "EZ Tag Only" boards everywhere on toll roads. Does that mean I cannot use TxTAG on these roads? - or - Will the TxTag work? Can someone please confirm.

I sent an email to these agencies asking for clarification - over a week - still no response from them.


Thanks in advance!

[sonic0boom]

Yes, you can use TxTag in the EZ Tag lanes. In fact, i used to have EZ Tag but switched to TXTag last year since i can use it in Houston and Austin.

[trele6]

From memory I can't remember the exact toll lanes, but I am positive I have seen the TxTag signs on the Sam Houston Tollway and WestPark Tollway.

[Lbjen]

It means tag only, i.e. you can't pay cash. That's all.

[ilikeme]

Originally Posted by sonic0boom

Yes, you can use TxTag in the EZ Tag lanes. In fact, i used to have EZ Tag but switched to TXTag last year since i can use it in Houston and Austin.

You can use EZ TAG in Austin and DFW also. Has worked for years now.

[RMESMH]

Originally Posted by georgekds

In Houston, I see "EZ Tag Only" boards everywhere on toll roads. Does that mean I cannot use TxTAG on these roads? - or - Will the TxTag work? Can someone please confirm.

I sent an email to these agencies asking for clarification - over a week - still no response from them.


Thanks in advance!

Earlier this month, I meant to turn on the Hardy Toll Road feeder road (not the toll road itself) along the edge of the Northgate subdivision. I accidentally turned onto the Grand Parkway entrance instead. I don't have a tag. I visited the EZ Tag store in Spring (Harris County Toll Road Authority) and through some information I obtained from them, I was able to get in touch with a live person on the phone at TxTag. I had to wait 2+ weeks for my violation to show in the system, and I was then able to pay over the phone. My violation automatically created a TxTag account for me that the rep told me will stay open a year if there is no more activity. She said they can send me a tag if I decide I want one. She said the only place you can pick one up in person is in Austin.

She also told me that the TxTag is valid on EZ Tag roads.

My best guess is that you might be seeing those signs re Harris County Toll Road Authority administered roads, and possibly Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority administered roads. I think the point of those signs is to indicate that there aren't any cash toll points/booth like those on parts of the Sam Houston Tollway. I imagine that they don't generalize beyond the name of their own tag on the signs, because if they did and a different tag system (such as TxTag) pulled their authorization, then they would get a ton of violations re misleading signs. That might prompt them to feel as though they'd have to replace all the signs, and that cost would be passed on down the line.

P.S. I noticed after my post posted that while I was composing my post, another member confirmed that the point of the EZ Tag only signs is to indicate 'Tag only, no cash'.

[sonic0boom]

Originally Posted by ilikeme

You can use EZ TAG in Austin and DFW also. Has worked for years now.

Good to know. The other reason i switched was that TxTag renewed $20 at a time vs $40 (i think) for EZTag. Who knows, maybe that has changed, too. Either way, i think the OP has had their question answered a few times by now...

[astrohip]

Originally Posted by sonic0boom

Good to know. The other reason i switched was that TxTag renewed $20 at a time vs $40 (i think) for EZTag. Who knows, maybe that has changed, too. Either way, i think the OP has had their question answered a few times by now...

You no longer have to renew your EZTag as you once did. It's a $15 charge for the tag, for lifetime of the car.

I *think* the TxTag is free, which is why so many people are switching to it. Can anyone confirm?

[mikeyyc]

The TxTag was free, and the account minimum is $20, so that's nice. Plus you don't have to deal with HCTRA which is an added bonus. TxTag has always been good to deal with, and I've had a tag for nearly 10 years with them. Dallas does us one better with the theme/team related tags. At least if you need a sticker you can get something cool from them.

[WRM20]

I have a TxTag, and it works just fine on every toll road in the Houston area. It was free, and does renew $20 at a time. I picked mine up on a trip to Austin a couple of years ago.