Thousands of drivers double charged in I-405 toll lanes

BOTHELL, Wash. — A new problem has popped up in the three weeks since the new express toll lanes opened on Interstate 405, and it affected many more than first thought.

Thousands of drivers who used the toll lanes were charged twice. At first, the Washington State Department of Transportation said 88 drivers had been double billed.

KIRO 7 later learned that less than 150 drivers received duplicate toll bills in the mail, but thousands of others, who have automatic withdrawals from their Good to Go! accounts, were also double billed.  In all, about 3,200 people were double billed.

Those who have Good to Go! accounts will be automatically reimbursed through their accounts shortly, and all reimbursements are expected to be completed by the end of the month.

WSDOT says if you've been double charged you should email them or give them a call: 1-866-936-8246, though wait times are averaging 25 minutes because of the influx of calls.

Customers can also visit goodtogo405.com or email goodtogo@goodtogo.wsdot.wa.gov.

WSDOT says the error stemmed from processing duplicate vehicle information and only affected about 1 percent of all transactions.

"A lot of it's automated which makes it a little challenging. But we do want customers to know it's always important to check their Good to Go! account on a monthly basis. Check those bills as they come in to make sure they're accurate. And if they see any issues, just give us a call and we'll take care of it," said Patty Rubstello, WSDOT Director of Toll Operations.

The agency is also apologizing for errors on the signs that could be confusing to drivers.

Over the weekend, one sign in Bellevue said three people were required to be able to drive free in the HOV lane.

It should have been two.

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