Turnpike eyes changes after SunPass troubles
In July, Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault announced that Conduent's $343 million SunPass contract wouldn't be renewed when it expires in three years. When asked if that could put potential losses above $50 million, Liquori replied, "It's possible." To help motorists who still owe, Liquori said the agency is offering lowered amounts to people who agree to join the pre-paid SunPass system. The lowered amounts are tied to SunPass toll rates --- toll-by-plate rates are higher -- and motorists can receive free sticker tag transponders, which have a $4.99 retail price. Friday's news release noted that the turnpike processes 4 million to 5 million toll transactions a day, and the new back-office system is expected to manage 9 million SunPass accounts and more than 12 million "toll-by-plate" accounts.
Florida to cut ties with SunPass contractor
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida will seek new bids in three years instead of renewing its contract with the company that oversaw last years botched SunPass conversion. Florida transportation officials on Wednesday confirmed their plans to re-bid the second half of the contract with New Jersey-based Conduent State & Local Solution. The Tampa Bay Times reported earlier Wednesday that Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault said in an interview that Conduents contract wouldnt be renewed. Conduent's $343 million contract includes running the system for the next three years. The SunPass system conversion was supposed to last about a week and be completed last June.
FDOT: SunPass contractor is getting things back on track
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida's top transportation official is confident that, despite a rocky start, the contractor in charge of the SunPass toll system is getting things back on the right track. UNCUT: Interview with FDOT Secretary Kevin ThibaultEven though it was hired by FDOT to upgrade SunPass for hundreds of millions of dollars, Conduents rollout of the revamped system has been marked by controversy and criticism since last year. The toll system was swamped out of the gate, causing parts of it to shut down and fueling complaints about billing errors, unreliability and poor customer service. On Friday, he indicated the company has made progress getting billing issues and customer service delays under control and in line with its contractual obligations. For now, Thibault encouraged Floridians to continue using SunPass and working with the state to resolve any issues they might have encountered.