NTTA or TEXpress and the toll roads (Dallas, Plano: home, construction)

[bmantx]

It seems that everywhere we go in North Texas now there is a toll road. And in some cases, construction projects to expand current freeways that are only 2 lanes have been replaced with projects to introduce toll lanes and keep the 2 lanes "as is". In the past, the only real toll lanes were in certain areas of Dallas and were only a mere $0.45 or even less during peak times. Now with the 820/121/183 and now 35W toll (express) lanes, it is not uncommon to see charges around $13.00 or more per "toll booth" or in the case in North Texas, "toll camera". These rate "are based upon real time traffic conditions" and seem to be super high to the point where a simple commute can cost almost $50 one way... PER DAY!

These prices are insanely high and unfortunately if you plan to get anywhere in a semi decent time, you almost have to use the toll roads. And in most cases, even those are getting backed up due to increased traffic of semi trucks.. which I find annoying to say the least. I have completely stopped using the tolls altogether and now just suffer through an hour and a half commute one way.

Who else has opinions on the NTTA or any local tolls that you may have in your city?

[El Chingaso]

I’ve never seen $13 per station. I just went and checked my NTTA account and the most expensive one was $1.41 at Coit/PGBT. The most expensive total drive was under $10 and that was from Plano to DFW

[bmlx]

Those TEXpress Lanes are not NTTA toll roads, though I believe NTTA is responsible for billing on all DFW-area toll roads.

But yes, the TEXpress lanes are quite expensive, but not as expensive as the OP seems to suggest. Still they are pretty much “Lexus Lanes” by any definition. I never seen toll rates as high as $13 per toll gantry (for your standard 2-axle vehicle) though. If the cost was as high as $50 per trip for a standard 2-axle vehicle I don’t think even people living in the Park Cities would be using those lanes with any frequency (that would be as much as $500/week in tolls or $26,000/year).

[bmantx]

Originally Posted by El Chingaso

I’ve never seen $13 per station. I just went and checked my NTTA account and the most expensive one was $1.41 at Coit/PGBT. The most expensive total drive was under $10 and that was from Plano to DFW

The tolls going East from the airport are affordable and I have no problems with them. Those are NTTA toll tags... The ones I was referring to are the ones by TEXpress which are west of DFW airport. The 820 interchange varies based upon traffic and times.. my highest charge was $13.74 at 5:45PM. Anything west is owned by a different company and they raise their rates so high it sucks.

I wish the TEXpress lanes followed what the PGBT and all the ones near Dallas do. They usually have straight rates and the most I've paid on those is $1.55 or so.

820/ 121/183 and now 35W (ALL west of DFW airport) charge insane rates that vary. I would understand paying maybe $2-3 during rush hour, but upwards of $13 per booth is insane. Especially since I commute to Grapevine from the Azle area. I hit basically every singe booth on my way. If I don't use the toll, It can take almost 2 hours to get commute.. (ONE WAY).

If you live East of DFW airport, you are fine. West of the airport is highway robbery.. literally. LOL

[bmantx]

Originally Posted by bmlx

Those TEXpress Lanes are not NTTA toll roads, though I believe NTTA is responsible for billing on all DFW-area toll roads.

But yes, the TEXpress lanes are quite expensive, but not as expensive as the OP seems to suggest. Still they are pretty much “Lexus Lanes” by any definition. I never seen toll rates as high as $13 per toll gantry (for your standard 2-axle vehicle) though. If the cost was as high as $50 per trip for a standard 2-axle vehicle I don’t think even people living in the Park Cities would be using those lanes with any frequency (that would be as much as $500/week in tolls or $26,000/year).

Of course my $50 a day is an estimate under worst case situations. For instance, my trip the other day cost me around that.

I commuted in the morning around 7:54AM and got charged $9.74 and $9.19 which was $18.93 just for my AM commute. PM going home was around 5:30PM and I got hit with $11.16... $11 and $10.75 as I stayed on longer and which brought my total for that day to $51.84.. These are all what show up on my toll charges invoice as they bill me. It gives locations and times. Now I don't use this every day obviously but I try to use it if I'm in a hurry and the regular lanes are to a stand still (Which is often at the times I commute)..

Some days the charges are minimal.. This morning at 4:30AM for instance was $0.98 each toll area.. as it usually is if I am having to be at work super early around that time.

All in all I wish the charges were lower like the ones near Dallas.

[El Chingaso]

Originally Posted by bmantx

The tolls going East from the airport are affordable and I have no problems with them. Those are NTTA toll tags... The ones I was referring to are the ones by TEXpress which are west of DFW airport. The 820 interchange varies based upon traffic and times.. my highest charge was $13.74 at 5:45PM. Anything west is owned by a different company and they raise their rates so high it sucks.

I wish the TEXpress lanes followed what the PGBT and all the ones near Dallas do. They usually have straight rates and the most I've paid on those is $1.55 or so.

820/ 121/183 and now 35W (ALL west of DFW airport) charge insane rates that vary. I would understand paying maybe $2-3 during rush hour, but upwards of $13 per booth is insane. Especially since I commute to Grapevine from the Azle area. I hit basically every singe booth on my way. If I don't use the toll, It can take almost 2 hours to get commute.. (ONE WAY).

If you live East of DFW airport, you are fine. West of the airport is highway robbery.. literally. LOL

Simple solution. Live closer to work.

[DabOnEm]

Originally Posted by El Chingaso

Simple solution. Live closer to work.

Such a simple solution that is not always possible, especially with how fast home prices have risen in relation to wages. Kind of weird to me that the side with more money (Dallas) have lower toll fees.

[bmlx]

I think it is the privately-operated express toll lanes (820/183 west of Euless and 35W, plus the LBJ Express on 635 and 35E south of 635) that charge the most to my understanding. The TxDOT-managed express lanes seem more reasonably-priced (183 from Euless eastwards/114/I-30/I-35E north of 635).