California HOV Stickers?

No.

And I believe....no.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SUSHISURFER @ Apr 7 2007, 07:58 PM) [snapback]419671[/snapback]</div>

There is no pending legislation to increase the number of HOV stickers for hybrids. "They" are afraid that the car pool lanes will be clogged with solo driver hybrids. Write your state legislators to complain. I did see a couple of bills that are trying to give a state tax credit for hybrids, I hope at least one passes!

Sherril

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(blzlovr @ Apr 8 2007, 02:40 AM) [snapback]419738[/snapback]</div>

Forget the tax credit.

They ought to give either free or significantly discounted REGISTRATION to hybrids, like every year when we have to renew.

 

No new carpool stickers, you're SOL. I'm unsure if they offer new ones every year though.

No you don't get to go for free during carpool hours. Bay Bridge costs *sigh* $4 regardless. However if you have the required amount of people all you have to do is remove the fastrak and shove it in the mylar bag, you could do that anyways, however saving $4 is not worth the $341 potential fine.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Apr 8 2007, 12:48 AM) [snapback]419740[/snapback]</div>

This is one of the best ideas I have heard all week.

Senator Matsui is going to get a letter from me this week about that.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SUSHISURFER @ Apr 7 2007, 09:58 PM) [snapback]419671[/snapback]</div>

Yes and "maybe".

Short Answer:

White HOV sticker (no limit) = free toll on all bridges

Yellow HOV sticker (85,000 only) = free toll *only* if:
1. You don't live in one of the 9 Bay Area counties (which requires you to get Fastrak)
2. You use a "dedicated" (unstaffed) HOV toll-free lane (found on the Carquinez, Dumbarton, San Francisco-Oakland Bay, and San Mateo-Hayward bridges only!)

This means if your hybrid vehicle is registered in, say, Santa Cruz County, you would not be required to sign up for Fastrak to receive your yellow HOV stickers. Because Caltrans does not expect non-Bay Area hybrids to change out of the HOV lane to avoid the "dedicated" HOV toll-free lane (for safety reasons), they are allowed free passage through the toll plaza. This "toll loophole" has been documented by both the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the San Jose Mercury News, but has been kept hush-hush for obvious fiscal reasons!