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Resident criticizes Bay City Bridge Partners billing practices and urges removal of transponders
Summary
A resident told commissioners the Bay City Bridge Partners' toll billing and fees cause confusion and warned others to remove bridge transponders; he described helping an elderly resident close an account that showed disputed fees.
A Bay City resident addressed the commission Wednesday to complain about billing practices and fees charged by the Bay City Bridge Partners and encouraged other residents to remove electronic toll transponders from vehicles.
Jeff Reed, who gave a local address, described helping an elderly man close a Bay City Bridge Partners account after billing appeared inconsistent. Reed said a statement showed a prior balance of $49, a $2 toll and $25 in fees, leaving an ending balance listed as minus $22. "It's just a bunch of crap," Reed said at the microphone. He told commissioners he removed several transponders from vehicles to prevent future automatic billing.
Reed urged other residents to be cautious if the bridge partner offers a new transponder program early in 2026, saying the company was "scrambling" to roll out a new plan and that Bay City residents were organizing to resist what he called unfair billing. He encouraged residents to physically remove transponders and to use solvent to clean the adhesive residue.
No formal action by the commission on bridge tolling or billing practices was recorded during the meeting. Commissioners listened while Reed urged vigilance and urged staff to track complaints related to toll billing and account statements.
