Font Size

Dallas / Fort Worth Local News

No More Cash Lanes Along The Bush Turnpike

IRVING (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Tim Boyle/Getty Images

Close

numSlides of totalImages

Related Slideshows

: Deadly Washington D.C. Metro Crash

: 10 Things We Overpay For

: Post-Election Rallies Rock Iran

: Robots Come To Life In Japan

: Strange Photos 2009

Beginning Wednesday, those who drive along the George Bush Turnpike will no longer have to dig for change in their cars. From now on, even those without an electronic toll tag can just drive straight through the toll gates.

Cameras are set to record the license plate numbers of the cars that do not have toll tags. Those drivers will then get a Zip Cash bill in the mail. The idea is to keep people moving through the toll plazas without having to stop.

The North Texas Tollway Authority said there could be some confusion as drivers get used to the new system. So, the agency is encouraging everyone to slow down and be extra careful.

Commuters have mixed feelings about the all-electronic toll collection system, and if it will improve traffic or not.

"It'll probably be a pretty big backup," said Justin Jones about the next few days. "I might just go around the whole Bush and take the service road. It might actually be faster for a change."

"I think it'll improve it," said commuter Janice Walker, "because a lot of people, when they're coming in, they're hunting for change. They don't know whether to get in one lane if they don't have a toll tag. It'd be great if everyone had a toll tag, but there's people going in both directions, so I think it'll be better."

Traffic monitors will be at the toll plazas during rush hours on Wednesday to help direct drivers.

The Zip Cash rate is 45 percent higher than having a toll tag, so those looking to save money might want to invest in one.