FDOT to break from troubled SunPass contractor

The news was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times Wednesday, on Day 405 of the SunPass Saga, a disastrous technological and customer service meltdown that started as a simple six-day disturbance. But Conduent failed in its attempt to successfully centralize billing and account maintenance for the Florida Turnpike, Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, and Miami-Dade Expressway Authority.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and his new FDOT Secretary, Kevin Thibault, promised accountability measures that former Gov. Rick Scott never delivered with Conduent and associated contractors, but actions have been limited since DeSantis took over for Scott in January.

DeSantis increased the total fines on Conduent to $8.3 million, but that represented just 2% of the company’s total contract for the job, which continued to increase, even during periods of turmoil, all the way to $358 million.

Now, it seems, Conduent won’t see all of that money. According to state records, the company has collected $98 million so far, but is likely to continue to collect over the next few years FDOT prepares to find a successor.

Problems related to Conduent and FDOT negligence are far from over 405 days after the system was first taken offline for the upgrade; frustrated customers still flood social media with complaints, while FDOT insiders report numerous problems behind-the-scenes as well.

The problems have been compounded by the state’s attempt to downplay and cover-up the severity of its issues.

FDOT officials have refused to turn over public records related to the system’s performance requested four months ago. They have failed to turn over records related to customer service and procurement problems from more than four weeks ago. And three-month-old questions regarding how much the state has lost in the mess went unanswered.

Meanwhile, Florida Politics has exposed how the state quietly increased Conduent’s contract in the last year, it likely broke the law in how it paid off a losing bidder on the SunPass contract, it issued zero discipline for executives and contractors hired to ensure Conduent did its job, a former FDOT executive chose to ignore a federal mandate that requires all toll transponders to work in all states, and FDOT public information officers intentionally withheld requested information from the public.

Spokespersons for both DeSantis’ office and FDOT both said they would be available for comment Wednesday morning, but neither has responded as of 3:15 p.m. Wednesday.