The Chronicle‘s Rad Sallee offers a primer on the confusing mess of managed HOV/toll lanes coming soon to the Katy Freeway:
Sometime in late spring 2009, three important changes will occur.
1. Every vehicle on the lanes must have a transponder on the windshield. This can be either an EZ Tag issued by the county toll road authority or a TxTag from the Texas Turnpike Authority.EZ Tags cost $15 and require an initial balance of $40. When the balance drops below $10, it is charged back up to $40 from the owner’s bank account. TxTags are free and require a $20 balance.
2. The managed lanes will be open at all times for toll-paying drivers, regardless of the number of occupants.
3. Motorists who frequently commute with at least one other occupant may choose to register one of their transponder-equipped vehicles with HCTRA as an HOV. When the toll sensors recognize that the tag is registered, no toll will be charged.
It’s important to note that if your car is registered as an HOV and you drive it onto the managed lanes during the HOV hours without a passenger, you’re breaking the law.
If you drive on the managed lanes outside the HOV hours, you’ll be charged the toll like everyone else.
Conversely, if the vehicle is not registered as an HOV, you’ll always be charged the toll, even if you have a dozen passengers.
The tag can’t be moved from one vehicle to another.
