BALTIMORE — Civil penalties for non-payment of a video toll in Maryland have been cut in half from $50 to $25.
With its next generation electronic toll collection system coming online this summer, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Board approved a measure that cuts in half the civil penalties for non-payment of a video toll, from $50 to $25, and accelerates a 15 percent toll rate discount for customers who pay video tolls within a certain timeframe.
Both changes are anticipated to take effect July 1. The change in the civil penalty comes as costs associated with processing and collecting citations have decreased over time.
Currently, if a Notice of Toll Due is not paid within 45 days, a $50 civil penalty is assessed for each unpaid transaction. The vote by the MDTA Board cuts the penalty to $25, and is the result of analysis and feedback from customer, legal and financial perspectives.
“Today’s vote by the MDTA Board to lower the civil penalty is the right decision for our customers,” said Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary and MDTA Chairman Gregory Slater. “Our goal is to make our facilities accessible, reliable and affordable for everyone, and this vote helps us toward that mission.”
The reduction in civil penalties is expected to save Marylanders $7.4 million annually, and represents one segment of toll relief implemented under the administration of Governor Larry Hogan.
Since 2014, Governor Larry Hogan has announced up to $351 million in combined savings for Marylanders through toll related reductions.
The MDTA next generation electronic toll collection system coming online in July will allow new payment options that previously were limited by existing technology.
“As we continue converting our facilities to all-electronic tolling, we want to improve the customer experience by providing as many payment options as possible,” said MDTA Executive Director James F. Ports, Jr. “And we are always looking for more ways to reduce costs for our customers.”
