Extension of HOV stickers in CA??

I would just like to get a sticker, but my Prius is TOO NEW!!!

 

I heard a rumor that Ahnold is going to hold an auction for new HOV stickers, with the stickers going to the highest bidders. There won't be any requirement for having a hybrid vehicle or whatnot. Theoretically, the stickers could be mounted to an H1 Hummer.

When the state is insolvent, drastic times call for drastic measures.

 

That would mean the super rich would have their own lanes, paid for by us! Our taxes would go to subsidize luxuries for the rich!

Somehow that doesn't sit quite right with me.

 

WOW...talk about completely defeating the purpose. Why doesn't he just turn the carpool lanes into toll roads???

 

Well, that is kind of the point. Except toll roads require lane dividers and toll machines and whatnot. All of which cost $ the state doesn't have. I am not saying I agree with the concept, but if you can't raise taxes or cut spending unless you have a 2/3s majority, you have a tyranny of the minority. You have to raise cash somehow. Maybe the concept of an annual auction isn't that outrageous?

EDIT: After thinking about the concept of an unlimited HOV lane access sticker, there is probably some law relating to federal funds that were used to construct the HOV lanes that would be run afoul if an un-restricted HOV access sticker auction were held. However, if an auction were held where there was a minimum mpg requirement that had to be met for the auction winners, and the requirement was high enough (meaning only hybrids would qualify), an auction could theoretically be held to raise cash for the state. It is not exactly 'fair', but when has life been fair?

 

I think there are plenty of hybrid owners that would gladly pay for stickers, given the fact that they do expire and there are so many of us that missed out on them completely. I myself probably won't be able to afford one though. It is extremely unfair IMO, to allow anyone that is driving alone, or does not have a clean air vehicle to use these lanes, I don't care how much cash they're willing to pay. Of course we can't expect too much from the Govenator...if I was to ask him for anything, it would be books for my kids school, but you can bet that won't happen on his agenda.

 

Out of curiosity, do you think it would be fair/reasonable to hold an auction for an annual HOV sticker that was limited to cars that had a minimum combined mpg rating? If you were able to purchase the sticker, you could drive your car with only 1 passenger in the HOV lanes.

I have been of the opinion that the free HOV stickers were unfair in that after the last sticker was given to the lucky applicant, the people who purchased hybrids after the last sticker was given were being discriminated against, since driving with just one occupant in a hybrid was using less resources than a car carrying 2 passengers. But that was just my 2 cents worth.

 

"Free" stickers? I don't think so. We had to pay for them.

Not only to the DMV, but also in the MSRP-or-higher price we paid for the cars. And it was done for cleaner air which others benefit from.

 

Sorry, I do not see that is only for White sticker. 5205.5 is including hybrids.
An act to amend Section 21655.9 of, to amend and repeal Section
40000.13 of, and to add and repeal Section 5205.5 of, the Vehicle
Code, relating to vehicles.

 

hybrids means

A 2004 model-year or older hybrid vehicle that has a 45 mile per gallon or greater fuel economy highway rating and meets California's ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV), super ultra-low emission vehicle (SULEV), or partial zero-emission vehicle (PZEV) standards.

And Prius is SULEV which is covered by this bill