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HOV, first solo drive today

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by aomC, Apr 8, 2014.

  1. aomC

    aomC Member

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    so I took my first solo drive on a commute I've been doing for 15 years... Usually, the traffic on this commute takes me about 90 minutes (w/o traffic, it can be a 28 minute drive, just for reference), I did it today in 35 minutes!
     
    #1 aomC, Apr 8, 2014
    SJ PiP, Tracksyde, Hi Burrito! and 2 others like this.
  2. jeffws

    jeffws Junior Member

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    Im saving 30 - 45 minutes a day..........:)
     
    #2 jeffws, Apr 8, 2014
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would put that in the $25./day savings side of the 'does pip pay for itself' ledger.;)
     
    #3 bisco, Apr 8, 2014
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  4. thx123

    thx123 Junior Member

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    Congrats!!! It feels good doesn't it? :)
     
    #4 thx123, Apr 9, 2014
  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Double edged sword.
    Points out that CA is selling PHEV and BEV due to high value of incentives, especially the HOV incentive.
    PiP sales have probably been minimum 45% to CA alone -- Zythryn guesstimates 60%.
    With the CA Green HOV Stickers gone, how well will PiP's sell? Lower prices I suppose, big Fall sales?

    The only other states with such a strong HOV factor might be VA and NY LIE, but neither of those right now are mandating plug-ins to get the HOV benefit.
     
    #5 wjtracy, Apr 9, 2014
  6. aomC

    aomC Member

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    I should have done this 2 years ago, cost be damned. The time savings are insane--though yes the additional discounts for getting it now was nice too.

    Not only was I home about an hour earlier, but it was a much calmer commute since there were fewer stop and go in that lane. Plus settings the DRCC and the fact that in LA no one should be cutting into your lane (though some do, so you still have to be vigilant), makes for a very relaxing experience.

    In fact, I got home early enough to have time to walk around the block and throw around a ball in the park with the spouse for a bit. Wow. Speechless.
     
    #6 aomC, Apr 9, 2014
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  7. thx123

    thx123 Junior Member

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    That's great! I was looking into buying PIP 2 years ago as well, but I couldn't justified the extra cost.
    Got it in Jan for the same reason. Loving it every min. in it.

    Time and your health is priceless, so we are all winners here. Have fun!
     
    #7 thx123, Apr 9, 2014
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  8. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    AomC, which freeway(s) are you using? I'm waiting for the HOV lane to be completed on the 405 through the Sepulveda Pass. And I agree, you really have to watch out for scofflaws who cross over the double yellow lines, sometimes quite suddenly.
     
    #8 rogerv, Apr 9, 2014
  9. aomC

    aomC Member

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    The 91E. I do know up in the Bay Area and some other parts of SoCal, they use this "enter at any time" lane... kind of scary to me... especially when you're going 60 and they are trying to accelerate from 10mph!!! But on this stretch it's the solid double yellow (not that everyone knows it's not meant to be crossed, silly drivers!).
     
    #9 aomC, Apr 9, 2014
  10. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    Do you need a transponder for the toll road part of the 91?
     
    #10 rogerv, Apr 9, 2014
  11. PriusC_Commuter

    PriusC_Commuter Active Member

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    I don't think HOV Stickers exempt you from the 91 Fastrak, so you would need a transponder and would need to pay for that section.
     
    #11 PriusC_Commuter, Apr 9, 2014
  12. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    Your experience is not unlike many others, myself included, and difficult for a non-owner to quantify. Like you I was spoiled from the first day.
     
    #12 SAronian, Apr 9, 2014
  13. thx123

    thx123 Junior Member

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    Funny. I commute via 91 as well. ;)
     
    #13 thx123, Apr 9, 2014
  14. PriusC_Commuter

    PriusC_Commuter Active Member

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    A lot of us do :) The daily question always is whether to take the 605/710/110N to the 105 to the 405, or instead to take the 110S to the 405 lol.
     
    #14 PriusC_Commuter, Apr 9, 2014
  15. jeffws

    jeffws Junior Member

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    5 - 405 - 110 - 105 on the way in and 105 - 110 - 91 - 5 on the way home...:)
     
    #15 jeffws, Apr 9, 2014
  16. aomC

    aomC Member

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    Farther down, in Riverside, I believe so. Otherwise for my stretch it's just a regular road.

    Took me 50 minutes today, door to door, but that was with a disabled vehicle blocking the #1 lane. I can only imagine then how long it would have been on the regular lanes.
     
    #16 aomC, Apr 9, 2014
  17. grkmalaka

    grkmalaka Junior Member

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    I get on at Beach Blvd in the morning and take the 91W - 110S - 405N and exit Imperial by LAX. The PiP has saved me almost 30-40 minutes each way since i've gotten it. Well worth it to me.
     
    #17 grkmalaka, Apr 9, 2014
  18. aomC

    aomC Member

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    Oh yeah, that's a much longer drive than me... you're definitely saving time!
     
    #18 aomC, Apr 9, 2014
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