We Want Toll Lanes Done Right

Metro ExpressLanes and other Southern California
HOT Lanes Need Free Non-Transponder Carpooling

Los Angeles Metro has launched the Metro ExpressLanes, a pilot, one-year demonstration program. The program included the conversion of the I-110 carpool (HOV) lanes into tolled express lanes (also known as High Occupancy Toll or "HOT" Lanes). Tolling on I-110 ExpressLanes began November 10, 2012 with the I-10 corridor launching in February, 2013. Transportation officials are working on other major proposals to bring in more HOT lanes to other Southern California freeways.

The Transit Coalition generally supports multi-modal express lanes and congestion pricing. Such facilities can provide a quick and easy throughfare for carpools, public express buses, private-sector coaches, and solo motorists willing to pay a toll.

The Transit Coalition believes that it is essential for carpools to have free access to these lanes without a requirement for transponders and objects to toll policies that would result in a reduction of carpools instead of single occupancy vehicles.

Fix these HOT Lanes: Planned or Existing corridors which should adopt Free Non-Transponder Carpooling:
These facilities each require all patrons to have a FasTrak transponder regardless of the number of persons in the vehicle. These policies cause an underperformance of the potential of these lanes based on a study by UC Berkeley and field studies conducted by The Transit Coalition.

• I-10, I-110 Metro ExpressLanes, Los Angeles County
• 91 Express Lanes, Orange/Riverside County
• I-15 Tolled Express Lanes, Riverside County
• I-10 Express Lanes, San Bernardino County

HOT Lanes that work: Nationwide Facilities with Free Non-Transponder Carpooling Policies:
These toll lane corridors allow for any HOV (carpools, vanpools and private buses) to have access to these lanes free of charge and without mandatory transponders or preregistration. Only non-carpools are mandated to have a transponder and are charged dynamic congestion-based tolls. Using an honor system, non-transponder solo vehicles caught by police in these HOT lanes are issued a hefty carpool violation ticket in lieu of a soft automated evasion penalty.

• I-15 Express Lanes, San Diego County
• VTA Express Lanes, Santa Clara County
• I-580, I-680 Express Lanes, Alameda County
• I-15 Express Lanes, Utah County, UT
• I-25 E-Express Lanes, Denver, CO
• MnPASS Express Lanes, Minneapolis, MN
• SR-167 HOT Lanes, Seattle, WA
• Metro HOT Lanes, Houston, TX

Resources:
Facts and statistics of why The Transit Coalition supports free non-transponder carpooling in toll lanes.

• We want Toll Lanes done right: The Facts which back up The Transit Coalition's position - A Better Inland Empire
• Free way's the slow way - Toll lanes speed traffic on the 110, new data show, but delay drives on the rest of the roadway. That's not how they were supposed to work. - 04/10/2013 Los Angeles Times Front Page Story
• The Private Sector, Toll Lanes, and the LA-to-Vegas Transit Corridor - 12/04/2012 A Better Inland Empire Transit Talking Points
• Thousands of citations issued to motorists on the 110 as Metro preps for new toll lanes on the 10 Freeway - Los Angeles Daily News by Maritza Velazquez, November 29, 2012
• LA Metro ExpressLanes and Casual Carpoolers - 11/15/2012 A Better Inland Empire Transit Talking Points
• Pay lanes: A first in L.A. County starts 11/10/2012 - Los Angeles Daily News by Steve Scauzillo
• Will Metro Rue the Day It Decided to Require Transponders for ExpressLanes Access - 9/27/2012 LA.Streetsblog.org
• Some Facts behind HOT Lane Transponder Mandates for Carpools - 9/20/2012 A Better Inland Empire Transit Talking Points
• OCTA panel rejects I-405 toll lanes - 9/17/2012 Orange County Register
• Toll Lanes Need Non-Transponder Carpooling - 8/01/2012 A Better Inland Empire Transit Talking Points
• A Closer Look at Congestion Pricing on the Bay Bridge - 1/2012 ITS/UC Berkeley
• Poll shows transponder-only carpooling I-85 HOT lanes despised by public - 11/23/2011 WSB-TV, Atlanta