Complaint Review: South Bay Expressway - San Diego California

Erick,

Our goal is to provide convenient access to travelers in South County not to scam anyone. We feel it is fair to ask that customers pay for their trips when they use South Bay Expressway a toll road. We provide both cash and credit card options at each ramp, as well as a Pay-by-Plate program available via our website, by mailing in your payment, by calling or coming by in person to our offices to do so. With all those payment options, we still extend the courtesy to our customers and to those unaware or who were lost and confused but used South Bay Expressway by reducing their penalties as a one-time courtesy. It is the responsibility of each driver to be sure that they contact us to pay for their tolls and when violations are issued. The reduction in penalties instead of elimination of them is done to cover the administrative costs associated with sending a violation when it is valid. This includes collecting the registered owner information for the vehicle at the California DMV, staffing, processing, printing and postage for each violation. If South Bay Expressway were to make a mistake or issue a violation in error, we wouldnt ask for payment in any penalties from the customer. If an error was not made, then we do ask that at a minimum, drivers pay the toll and often times a reduced penalty.

We actively monitor Ripoff Report and it is our goal to provide a fair resolution to all customers. Should you choose to use this website as a way to resolve your issue with South Bay Expressway, please include the violation or account number so that we can look up your information in our system in order to research your situation and get to a resolution faster.

Were happy to reduce penalties as a one-time courtesy for drivers who were lost, confused or unsure of how to use South Bay Expressway.

Reduce but not eliminate. How convenient. I'd like to know how much of South Bay Expressway's revenue comes from "reduced penalties" offered to drivers who were "lost, confused or unsure".

This scam needs to end. Period. Wake up SD!  

That's great that they did somethin for ya.

As far as I know, most tolls don't even pursue payment unless your a repeat offender.

I wouldve kept silent and not offered any information.

Then, if they got nasty I would start damaging toll equipment.

But that's just me.

I just found out that I could have called within 4 days and just paid $5 vs the typical $3 toll fee.

I think thats a very good option and the $2 mark up is understandable. 

Had I known, I would have called  :(

Instead I successfully had the fine reduced to $13 which I think is still unfair but I'm still grateful they even reduced the fine.

It saddens me to think that other 1st time violators maybe going through the same ordeal and probably didnt complain and just paid the hefty $63 fine. 

I hope they mark all of the on-ramp roads soon, for everyones sake!

Hello Erick:

We apologize that your first time on South Bay Expressway was a negative experience. Were happy to reduce penalties as a one-time courtesy for drivers who were lost, confused or unsure of how to use South Bay Expressway.

You included details about your citation, but not the citation number. With that information, we can look up the transaction and verify that this was your first trip on South Bay Expressway that was unpaid and make that courtesy reduction for you. You can also fill out the Dispute form on the back of the citation you received and we can make the reduction in the penalty for you that way. Its also just as easy to call us and we can take care of everything all in one phone call.

South Bay Expressways signage is regulated by Caltrans. We recently received approval to make an improvement to the lanes that you are referring to. We will be labeling the on ramps with painted arrows and/or labels so that as you approach, you are able to make the lane change safely and will see more clearly the lane you wish to enter with your vehicle.

The other option that drivers have available is our Pay-by-Plate program where drivers who were unable or did not pay for their cash tolls, can do so on our website within four business days to avoid citation. You can visit https://csc.southbayexpressway.com/pay-by-plate/ for more information or to make your payment.

We understand the first time on a toll road can be confusing. Please respond with the citation number so we can make the appropriate courtesy reduction to your penalty or call us to do so and well be happy to help.