Toll Rates Set To Increase For Austin-Area Drivers In January

AUSTIN, TX — The Texas Department of Transportation's annual toll rate increase is set to start Jan. 1, 2020, officials said on Tuesday.

The biggest increase will be felt by drivers who still pay by mail, transportation officials noted, as the surcharge for those transactions will increase to 50 percent of the base rate paid by all toll users. This means motorists with a TxTag account will experience an even larger comparative discount on tolls — a discount of 33 percent compared to Pay By Mail rates.

The 50 percent surcharge for Pay By Mail transactions helps defray the rising administrative costs associated with these mailed payments, such as viewing license plate images, generating and mailing invoices and processing payments. Officials added that raising this surcharge to 50 percent also brings Pay By Mail rates in line with other toll authorities in Austin and Dallas and across the country, furthering the incentive of having a TxTag account.

TxTag users always pay the lowest tolls, state transportation officials said. They cited an example: A TxTag driver traveling on SH 130 from I-35 to Parmer Lane will be charged a discounted toll of $3.76, as opposed to a Pay By Mail customer who will be charged $5.64 for the same distance.

"TxTag customers also avoid the extra fees and inconvenience of paying by mail, and when signing up for AutoPay with a credit or debit card, the TxTag sticker is free. TxTag works on all toll roads in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas," officials added.

It’s fast and easy to sign up for TxTag online at TxTag.org or by calling 1-888-468-9824. Central Texas drivers also can pick up a TxTag in person at the TxTag Customer Service Center at 12719 Burnet Road in Austin and Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Offices in Georgetown, Pflugerville and New Braunfels.