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California: No More (I-10 & 110) Toll Lane HOV Free Access as of 3/1/2019?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by sillylilwabbit, Jan 21, 2019.

  1. sillylilwabbit

    sillylilwabbit Active Member

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    “Metro ExpressLanes is making changes to its Clean Air Vehicle Policy that may affect you.

    Starting March 1, 2019:
    • Customers with a clean air vehicle (CAV) displaying a valid DMV-issued red or purple CAV decal with a copy of their vehicle’s official California DMV vehicle registration provided to Metro ExpressLanes, are eligible for a 15% discount off of the posted rate on the I-10 and I-110 Metro ExpressLanes.

    • All clean air vehicles must set the switch on their FasTrak transponder to indicate the actual number of people in the vehicle for a given trip. CAVs are no longer allowed to use the 2 or 3+ transponder switch settings unless that many persons are present in the vehicle. Any CAVs incorrectly using the 2 or 3+ switch setting without that many occupants in the vehicle will be subject to CHP citation.

    • Other CAV vehicles (including those with yellow, green or white CAV decals) will not be eligible to receive any CAV discounts.


    As a reminder, all vehicles traveling on the I-10 or I-110 Metro ExpressLanes must properly mount a FasTrak transponder. Carpoolers must have a FasTrak Flex (switchable) transponder that is used to indicate the number of occupants in the vehicle. Eligible carpoolers with a FasTrak Flex set to the proper position can continue using the Metro ExpressLanes toll-free.

    The I-10 and I-110 Metro ExpressLanes have different toll-free carpool requirements as follows:

    On the I-10 Metro ExpressLanes*:
    Vehicles with three or more occupants travel toll-free at all hours.
    Vehicles with two occupants will only pay a toll during peak hours
    (Monday-Friday from 5-9am and 4-7pm).
    On the I-110 Metro ExpressLanes*:
    Vehicles with two or more occupants travel toll free at all hours.
    Your continued choice to use the Metro ExpressLanes is greatly appreciated!”

    Is this true? No more free access to the HOV Toll lanes?

    IMG_0204.jpg



    iPhone ?
     
    #1 sillylilwabbit, Jan 21, 2019
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    We have some similar issues in Virginia where Hybrids were recently kicked out of the HOT-2 (future to become HOT-3) lanes, and the toll on the HOT Lanes approaches $40 to go just a couple miles into DC. We have dynamic tolls to keep vehicles off when the traffic is heavy. Not me but those Virginians who were depending on long commutes via free clean fuel HOV are needing to reassess their approach.

    Virginia actually invented free HOV for hybrids, California made it famous. We actually have exteremly successful car pooling on I95, but I66 has proven less amenable to that approach.
     
    #2 wjtracy, Jan 21, 2019
  3. sillylilwabbit

    sillylilwabbit Active Member

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    This is horrible.

    I was at a point in which I was going to trade in my car (California Green sticker which expired 1/1/2019), for a used (maybe new) vehicle that is eligible for a Red Sticker so that I may continue to use the toll HOV lanes to get to work.




    iPhone ?
     
    #3 sillylilwabbit, Jan 21, 2019
  4. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    well we have some geographic (Potomac River) and political (Arlngton Va, Maryland have been fighting expanded roads) choke points, so it can be hard to get around. Also we cannot get taxes for the roads so the state likes the HOT lane approach where the tolls pay for the road.
     
    #4 wjtracy, Jan 21, 2019
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i passed those on wednesday. couldn't believe the prices posted, and it wasn't even busy
     
    #5 bisco, Jan 21, 2019
  6. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Threads like this make be so thankful for where I live and work. In the 22 years I've lived where I live and worked where I work, I've hit traffic on my way to work exactly zero times and only once on the way home (because of a massive ice storm and everyone was rightly driving 5mph). And I've never once paid a toll in my home state.

    I feel bad for those who have to get around in the DC area. I worked there for two weeks a couple of years ago, and remember one point where I literally got out and walked and beat the car and it's driver to our hotel.
     
    #6 Lee Jay, Jan 22, 2019
  7. geguia

    geguia Active Member

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    just switch it to 3 ;)
     
    #7 geguia, Jan 23, 2019
  8. smyles

    smyles Active Member

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    Good riddance. HOV should be used to reduce traffic, not selectively promote products.
     
    #8 smyles, Jan 24, 2019
    frodoz737 likes this.
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Seems like everyone does it, there's no enforcement whatsoever in those lanes. You see 25 year old beaters on there, no way they'll pay the $6.00+ toll 1 way. Those lanes are busier than ever
     
    #9 JC91006, Jan 24, 2019
  10. sillylilwabbit

    sillylilwabbit Active Member

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    $6.00?

    Where I am it is $15.00 one way to use the HOV lane.

    Cheaper to buy another vehicle or relocate closer to work and pay extra for rent


    iPhone ?
     
    #10 sillylilwabbit, Jan 24, 2019
  11. blanka98

    blanka98 Junior Member

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    Has anyone received their purple sticker yet? I sent out my application on Jan 2nd and my check hasn’t been cashed yet.



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    #11 blanka98, Jan 26, 2019
  12. Prime_Time

    Prime_Time Member

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    Same.
     
    #12 Prime_Time, Jan 28, 2019
  13. blanka98

    blanka98 Junior Member

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    Wohooo received mine today!!!


    iPad ?
     
    #13 blanka98, Feb 9, 2019
  14. LilyHere

    LilyHere Junior Member

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    Where do you live? I don't know what it's like to not have traffic.
     
    #14 LilyHere, Feb 9, 2019
  15. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Westminster Colorado, and my work site is out off the beaten path between Boulder and Golden so I never hit traffic. I see cars on my way to work, but the only time we drive under the speed limit is when the weather requires it.

    Lucky. Very lucky.
     
    #15 Lee Jay, Feb 9, 2019
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