Drivers Charged Toll On U.S. 36 Express Lanes Even When Carpooling

WESTMINSTER, Colo. (CBS4)- A glitch in the system used to calculate tolls in the new express lanes on U.S. 36 had charged hundreds of drivers a toll even if they were carpooling. The company in charge of the tolls said they will fix the mistake.

The toll was charged on all vehicles traveling through the Sheridan Boulevard ExpressToll station because an antenna failed, leaving it unable to detect the transponder on the vehicles' windshield.

Even those who switched the transponder to the correct setting were charged for a trip that was supposed to be free.

The group that runs ExpressToll, Plenary Group, was made aware of the problem when a driver called, asking why she had been charged 50 cents for a trip that should have been covered by her HOV pass.

"We're going to have some start up problems and if we know there's a problem, our commitment is to fix it as soon as we can," said Plenary Group Senior Vice President Terry Ostrom.

Plenary Group is refunding drivers about $1 each for overages that occurred when the antenna failed to detect prepared carpooling passes between Aug. 13 and Aug. 24.

The problem may have impacted about 500 drivers but Plenary Group said it is impossible to know which drivers had the proper setting switched on at the time. So they are refunding every customer who drove through the area with a transponder during that time.

"We'll be able to catch it before any improper bills come out," said Ostrom.

Ostrom said the glitch is just one in what has been an otherwise smooth month. Plenary Group sends out 3,000 transponders to new customers every day.

Those who are receiving a refund will get an email or letter explaining the credit.