A change is coming for TxTag customers in Austin starting this Saturday. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced that people using Austin toll roads will now be billed through the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA). This transition also applies to drivers without a toll tag.
The agreement between TxDOT and HCTRA was made on November 6, as stated in the news release. Customers with TxTag will need to transition their EZ TAG account via HCTRA.org instead of TxTag.org. Additionally, customers will have the option to pay tolls by visiting EZ TAG stores in Houston or Austin, as well as at Walmart, H-E-B, and other locations.
Once the migration to HCTRA is complete, non-tag customers will receive one bill from HCTRA for travel on TxDOT or HCTRA toll roads in Austin and Houston. This bill will only include fees under HCTRA’s invoicing structure. Austin drivers without a tag will still receive separate bills for travel on Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority toll roads.
The decision to transition to HCTRA is aimed at improving customer experiences and increasing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. TxDOT has been working for years to enhance its TxTag billing and customer service system.
According to Executive Director Marc Williams, the cost to process a toll transaction will be reduced by half, from around 30 cents per transaction to approximately 15 or 16 cents per transaction. This cost-saving measure is projected to save the state nearly $100 million over the years.
TxTag customers whose accounts were transferred can begin accessing their accounts on December 2. For more information, you can read the full release from TxDOT on the agency’s website.
It’s important for Austin drivers to be aware of these changes and make the necessary adjustments to ensure a smooth transition to the new billing system. Stay informed and updated on any developments regarding the TxTag transition to HCTRA for a hassle-free toll road experience.
